Beijing, Sep 25 (IANS): A school student in China's Yan'an city was fined 400 yuan (about $62) for smoking on campus, the media reported on Friday.
The punishment has been deemed by the Yuying Middle School authority a method to deter smoking among students, China.org reported.
Zhang Bingke, head of the school's administrative office, said the fine was introduced only this semester after previous measures failed.
The head added that students used to pay 20 yuan for each cigarette they smoked while their remaining stash was confiscated.
According to Zhang, the measure has turned out to be effective, though not backed by any written policy.
Stressing the "educative meaning" of such a measure, the school authority promised to return all the money to the parents of students.