On Dec 29, 2013, Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued a special instruction that officials are not allowed to smoke in schools, hospitals, sports venues, public transport vehicles, or any other venues where smoking is banned. Chinese officials were asked to "take the lead" in adhering to the smoking ban in public spaces in the instruction.

A No-Smoking sign is pictured in a restaurant in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, Feb 28, 2013. [Photo/icpress.com.cn]