Guangzhou, the capital of southern China's Guangdong Province will celebrate "World No-Tobacco Day" through a one-day ban on the sale of cigarettes in the city, according to a Wednesday report by the local Information Times newspaper.

May 31st will be the 21st "World No-Tobacco Day," which was initiated by the World Health Organization.

This year's theme is "Tobacco-free youth." In response, Guangzhou's local authorities plan to hold a special gathering on May 30th to urge young people to sign their names on a declaration, vowing to say no to tobacco.

The authorities are also requiring all tobacco dealers, including supermarkets, restaurants and cigarette stands, to not sell tobacco products on May 31st.

Guangzhou will host the 2010 Asian Games. In order to improve the environment and offer a smoke-free event, the city has, since 2006, drafted three smoking bans for public places. The bans should be in effect before 2010, the report says.

However, a reporter's investigation on Tuesday showed that many tobacco dealers have yet to receive the order concerning the ban and many residents told the reporter that they didn't believe a one-day ban would be an effective way to implement the no smoking policy.

(CRIENGLISH.com May 29, 2008)