Shanghai, Mar 6 (IANS): China's Shanghai city is exploring more effective ways to control smoking in internet bars and entertainment venues that don't comply with the ban on smoking in public places.

According to the anti-smoking law that became effective March 1, 2010, public venues, including hospitals, schools, bars and restaurants are required to designate non-smoking areas and put up signs prohibiting smoking.

People ignoring smoking bans are warned by supervisors and can be fined 50 to 200 yuan (about $8 to $32).

Last week, the Shanghai municipal health promotion committee teamed up with other government agencies to launch a week-long supervision initiative on complying with the smoking ban in public places, the China Daily reported.

According to Li Zhongyang, deputy director of the municipal health promotion committee and deputy inspector of the municipal health bureau, several reasons are to blame.

"Employees there lack systematic education and training. They know less about the harm of smoking and passive smoking," she said.

"Some internet bar operators choose to turn a blind eye to the smoking because they worry they would hurt their business if they prevented smoking," she added.

Last year, 66 establishments and five individuals were fined more than 157,000 yuan ($25,000) for violating the city's anti-smoking laws, according to a report released by the health promotion committee under the Shanghai municipal health bureau.

As per the report, internet bars were the worst in complying with the law, followed by entertainment venues and restaurants.