The Current Situation of Subnational Legislation on Smoking Ban in Indoor Public Places, Indoor Workplaces, and Public Transport — China, 2024

Smoke-free regulations play a crucial role in protecting people from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.The "Healthy China Initiative (2019)(2020)(2021)(2022)(2023)(2024)(2025)(2026)(2027)(2028)(2029)(2030))" designates tobacco control as a special action area and establishes a target that by 2030, comprehensive smoke-free environment regulations will protect 80% or more of the population.This study analyzes smokefree regulation texts to provide an evidence base for enhancing the quality of smoke-free legislation.This study examined smoke-free regulation texts issued by provincial and municipal governments in China through December 31, 2024.The analysis included specialized smoke-free regulations, patriotic health regulations, and regulations promoting civilized behavior.The screening process excluded repealed regulations, rules, normative documents, and city regulations lacking provincial-level legislation or explicit smoke-free provisions.Through comprehensive textual analysis, the study identified deficiencies in China's smoke-free legislation and developed recommendations for future improvements.Comprehensive analysis integrating provincial and municipal smoke-free regulations revealed that 46 cities are protected by comprehensive smoke-free regulations, covering over 200 million people.Regarding smoke-free environment establishment, healthcare facilities, two categories of educational facilities, and government facilities demonstrated optimal performance, all achieving 100% comprehensive smoke-free standards.However, progress in establishing smoke-free environments in other locations varies significantly.National-level regulations are expected to effectively address these disparities.We recommend formulating legislation at the national level and gradually shifting tobacco control management from a place-centered to a peoplecentered approach.