Source: OT-Team(G), 央广网; 环球网
A Shanghai restaurant staff speaks out, saying "We're victims too" amid disputes triggered by a foreign blogger's anti-smoking efforts.
According to a report by China National Radio on August 5, recent incidents involving foreign blogger Malik—who has repeatedly stopped people from smoking in public places in Shanghai—have drawn significant public attention. On August 3, reporters visited two locations featured in Malik's videos: a restaurant on Jile Road in Minhang District and the commercial area of a serviced apartment complex on Shenbin Road, Xinhong Subdistrict, to retrace the events and gather the latest updates.
Restaurant Faces Online Backlash After Dispute
One of the incidents took place at a restaurant in Minhang District. In a police statement issued on August 2, authorities said that during a meal, Malik noticed a diner named Tie smoking and stepped in to stop him. Tie agreed and prepared to leave, but upon departure, heard what he perceived as insulting remarks from Malik, prompting a verbal confrontation.
A restaurant staff member recounted that, on the night in question, a man was settling the bill at the counter while another man from the same party re-entered the restaurant holding a lit cigarette. Malik noticed and approached him. As more of the group joined the discussion and tensions rose, Malik continued filming and refused to delete the video, leading to an argument. The staff confirmed that police were called and relevant footage was handed over.
After the incident gained attention online, the restaurant faced a flood of negative reviews on a popular food app, with some labeling it "a smoke-filled place where you get attacked for stopping smokers" and mocking its dishes with names such as "Second-Hand Smoke Grilled Lamb" and "Tar Soup." The staff expressed frustration, saying, "We have always displayed no-smoking signs, and smoking is banned in our private rooms. Now netizens are targeting us, and some even call just to insult us. We are also victims in this." The restaurant owner declined further comment, citing ongoing police involvement.
Apartment Complex Enforces Stricter Smoking Ban
Another incident occurred in late July at the commercial area of Keyu Apartments on Shenbin Road. Malik attempted to stop a man from smoking indoors, but the man ignored him, pretended to take a phone call, and only put out the cigarette after finishing it. Following the incident, the Minhang District health authorities fined the smoker 200 yuan and issued a supervision notice to the venue, ordering a temporary suspension of operations and stricter enforcement of smoking regulations.
During a visit on August 3, reporters observed newly posted no-smoking signs printed on A4 paper in the indoor public areas, stating "No indoor smoking. Violators will be fined" and specifying maximum penalties of 200 yuan for individuals and 30,000 yuan for venues, along with complaint and quit-smoking hotline numbers. An outdoor "smoking area" had also been set up. No indoor smoking was observed during the visit.
Some netizens commented that "strict enforcement of smoking bans is common only in large shopping malls or well-known restaurants; in smaller eateries, even with signs, customers often ignore them and staff are reluctant to intervene," while others argued that "restaurants have a duty to enforce the ban—if they fail, they must accept the consequences."
The discussion around Malik's actions continues to highlight the challenges of enforcing smoking bans in everyday public spaces.
The debate sparked by these incidents has also raised questions about the role of businesses in enforcing smoking bans.
Should restaurants actively step in to stop smoking, even at the risk of upsetting customers, or is their responsibility fulfilled once clear no-smoking signs are in place?
No comments:
Post a Comment