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Beijing bans cigarette selling at newsstands

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-05-08 09:50

Beijing municipal authorities showed red light to cigarette selling at newsstands which are star-studded in the country's capital to ensure safety and curb fire risk, according to two regulations on tobacco retails which went into effect on Monday.

Jointly issued by the Beijing Municipal Administration of Production Safety and the Tobacco Monopoly Bureau, the regulations specify essential facilities for the outlets of companies engaged in tobacco retails.

The requirements have ruled out possibility for poorly-equipped houses such as newsstands to get license for tobacco retails due to their questionable safety conditions.

Instead of makeshift shanties, all outlets shall be located in building with a fire resistance rating of no less than third grade. And the external wall shall be at least 25 centimeters thick, the regulations said.

Meanwhile, makeshift materials are banned for the roof and combustible materials for inner wall decoration and suspended ceiling.

The regulations, as well, set burglarproof door or other metal doors that measures no less than 1.2 meter in width as a prerequisite for the outlets.

"Each two tobacco stands shall be located at least 150 meters apart in bustling avenues, " the regulations read.

The regulations also demanded at least two powder fire extinguishers in each outlet, and a device for GPS monitoring system in each vehicle for tobacco transportation.

Tobacco retails enterprises are obliged to provide training on safety production to its staff and equip them with necessities to ensure occupational safety, according to the regulations.