Using innovations to enable public monitoring and enhance enforcement of Beijing smoking control regulation
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1
Beijing Tobacco Control Association, China
2
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, United States of America
3
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, China
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A629
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ABSTRACT
Background and challenges to implementation:
Beijing
Smoking Control Regulation took effect in 2015. The regulation bans smoking in
all indoor public places, work places and public transportations. Its unique
feature is it encourages "social governance", enabling
the public to play active roles in its implementation. The
implementation has been particularly challenging in small- or middle-sized restaurants
and office buildings. With over 21 million residents and only 2,000 enforcement
officers in Beijing, the public needs to be engaged to ensure successful
implementation.
Intervention or response:
Beijing
Tobacco Control Association (BTCA) developed Beijing Tobacco Control Map to
enable public monitoring and timely reporting of violations. This GPS-enabled
interactive map can be accessed from Beijing government's website and from
WeChat, the most popular Chinese social media platform. The public can report
violations through WeChat. The reports result in lights in different colors at
a specific location on the Map based on the number of the reports. Volunteers can
use the information to help the venue managers to comply and health inspectors can
follow the lights to do targeted inspections.
Results and lessons learnt:
Beijing
Tobacco Control Map is a highlight in implementing the Beijing Tobacco Control
Regulation. Using crowdsourcing technology and popular social media, this
innovative approach provides a convenient channel for the public to participate
in the implementation; it organizes volunteers to support venues in
compliance and relieve enforcement officers´ workload; it serves as a
useful tool for the enforcement officers to be more effective and efficient.
Conclusions and key recommendations:
Beijing
Tobacco Control Map can be used in other cities and countries to promote
effective implementation of tobacco control laws. Crowdsourcing and innovative
technologies should be explored to enhance tobacco control efforts and other
public health interventions. It can also strengthen the collaboration between
the government, the civil society and the private sector as in Beijing.