The Olympic way to save the environment

Beijing bans smoking in cabs in run-up to Olympics
Beijing has banned smoking in the city's 66,000 cabs amid efforts to help create a "non-smoking" Olympics Games in 2008. The ban effective from Oct 1, imposes a fine of 100 yuan to 200 yuan on drivers if they are caught smoking in cabs. Passengers are also prohibited from smoking in cabs...The Star, Malaysia

The Olympics have a great way of imposing on hosting nations to be more co-operative in human affairs which may influence the world. I just got back from Beijing 2 weeks ago and the smog and smoke in the city is terrible. It is one of the worst cities I have ever been. The cleanest air in only found in air-conditioned places like your hotel or some department stores. Other than that, the whole atmosphere is equivalent to a fuming chimney.

The other thing that I noticed and I made mentioned to Lai Ngan was that almost everyone that we met is either holding a cigarette in their hand or in their mouth. Almost everyone puffs and puffs! It's incredible! They will be puffing in buses, cars, subways and even while cycling or walking. The government do not place much emphasis on warning their people about the dangers of cigarette smoking, because nowhere did we see any warning signs not to smoke. This is unlike Malaysia, where the warning sign is even placed on the cigarette box itself.

Now, with the Olympic Games due in Beijing next year, there is an anticipation in the atmosphere that China wants to prove to the world that she can do an excellent job and even rival past hostesses in every level of class, glamour and prestige grounds.

Hopefully, we can presume that after the Olympics, the general population, at least in Beijing, will take heed that smoking is bad for individual's health as well as for the environment.

Upon talking with the Beijing taxis while we were there, we discovered that not only are they curbing cigarette smoking in public transport vehicles, they are going to reduce the amount of traffic going into the inner city of Beijing beginning next year. On certain days, only vehicles with odd registration number plates can enter the city while on the other days, the even numbered vehicles can enter. That would mean that half of all the vehicles you see on the road will disappear next year. Hallelujah! Thumbs up for the environment.

What is your opinion? Do you think these measures taken by the China's government in 2008 will have a lasting effect in 2009 and beyond? Would the people take heed to the advice of the authorities to reduce the smog in the city?