Using innovations to enable public monitoring and enhance enforcement of Beijing smoking control regulation

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.