Although the strictest smoking ban in the history of Beijing, which took effect on Monday, cannot be expected to establish a non-smoking public environment soon, it is feasible for the awareness of smokers to be considerably raised about the harm their habit can cause to others, non-smokers in particular.

More than 1,000 inspectors checked government departments, hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants and recreational venues on Monday to make sure that the ban was being implemented to the letter. The first fine was issued to a chain restaurant. Such inspections will last for three days.

However, the habit of smoking dies hard. It is unrealistic to expect the city's 4 million smokers to abide by the ban overnight.