Beijing bans smoking in taxis ahead of Games

updated 8:34 a.m. ET Oct. 2, 2007

BEIJING - As part of its efforts to spruce up the city ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing has banned smoking in taxis, state media reported Tuesday.

The Xinhua News Agency said smoking — ubiquitous in China — was banned in all of the city's 66,000 taxis for both drivers and passengers. Drivers will be fined $13-26 if caught smoking at the wheel.

Passengers caught smoking will have their names "exposed through media," Xinhua quoted Ma Yanjie, deputy head of the city's taxi bureau, as saying. The agency said green-colored "No Smoking" signs have been posted in most taxis for the ban that started Monday.

Beijing has implemented a long list of measures to clean up the city and its citizens for the games starting Aug. 8.

The list includes plans to limit the number of cars in the city, and to close foul-smelling factories to improve Beijing's notoriously noxious air pollution.

Etiquette campaigns are also afoot to stamp out bad manners like jumping ahead in line, spitting, littering and reckless driving.

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