SHANGHAI: The city's ban on smoking in public areas will be enforced beginning March 1, a draft amendment to the anti-smoking law approved by the city's top legislature showed yesterday.

Following months of debate and repeated revisions by the Shanghai People's Congress, the Shanghai Public Places Smoking Control Law now clarifies and expands its scope. The new law also imposes fines on establishments that fail to obey the restrictions.

Proponents say the law will better protect its citizens' lives and clean the environment.