The World Health Organization says it welcomes the release of the Beijing Municipal Regulations on the Scope of Banning Smoking in Public Places.

"WHO warmly congratulates the Municipality of Beijing on its exemplary progress towards creating a new smoke-free city," said WHO China Representative Dr Hans Troedsson ina  press statement. "These landmark regulations lead the way for the rest of China. There is no safe level of tobacco smoke. Second-hand smoke can and does kill people who have never smoked in their lives. Smoking is one of the largest health problems in China, and this year alone, tobacco will needlessly kill a million Chinese people."

The new norm created by these regulations — 'Smoke-Free Inside' — will ensure that the people of Beijing are nearly free from exposure to deadly second-hand smoke. Beijing is also contributing to the fulfillment of China's commitments under the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control — the international treaty that is battling against smoking and tobacco-related illnesses. Through its ratification of the Convention in 2005, China has committed itself to take a number of measures, including the creation of smoke-free environments through instruments such as these regulations.

The regulations will ensure a smoke-free Beijing Olympic Games through the total ban on smoking in competition and spectator areas of stadiums and gymnasiums in perfect accord with WHO guidelines on protection from second-hand smoke.