Beijing bans indoor smoking in public, tobacco advertising BEIJING, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Smokers in China's capital city will not be allowed to light up in all indoor public places, at work or on public transit under new legislation passed by the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People's Congress. Initially limited only to Beijing, the new restrictions will start in June, according to Chinese state media. Among those affected will be teachers, who are forbidden from smoking in front of students in primary and secondary grades. Schools themselves will be required to educate students about the dangers of smoking. The wide-ranging measure will also ban cigarette advertising in broadcast, print and online and prohibit all forms of tobacco sponsorship and promotions. The World Health Organization estimates there are more than 300 million smokers among China's 1.3 billion people and the new restrictions could eventually be rolled out across the country. Earlier smoking bans imposed by Chinese authorities have done little to curb the use of tobacco in the country.