Hope for first ever smoke-free Shanghai Expo

The Fudan Media and Public Opinion Research Center interviewed 509 people, of which 93.5 percent said they hoped smoking, tobacco commercials and promotions would be strictly prohibited at all Shanghai Expo 2010 pavilions.

They also felt smoking should not be allowed in restaurants or shopping centers near the Expo area.

A smoke-free Expo will help promote Shanghai's image as an international metropolis, said 94.3 percent of the people interviewed.

As far as Liang Sheng, a smoker for three years, is concerned, he'd rather spurn the event than not light up for a few hours. Expo organizers refused a 200 million yuan (US$29.3 million) donation from the Shanghai Tobacco Company last year to maintain their “healthy Expo” stance.

Starting March 1, Shanghai will launch a ban on smoking in 13 kinds of public areas, approved by the city's top legislature.

But experts said enforcing the ban will prove much tougher.

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