In November 2022, Chen Bangxian, a 50-year-old Chinese amateur marathon runner, became famous online for completing a marathon while smoking cigarettes the entire way. Known as “Smoking Big Brother”, he completed the 42km marathon in Jiande city in eastern Zhejiang province in an impressive time of 3 hours 28 minutes.
In 2024, this male athlete had to receive penalties from the Xiamen International Marathon, a ban from participating in the event for two years, cancellation of his race results and the possibility of further discipline from Hiep. China Athletic Association (CAA).
China bans both smoking and running marathons
Not only does this mark the first penalty for an athlete in the 2024 marathon season, but it is also the first time such action has been taken against a participant for smoking during a competition. Similarly, another participant, surnamed Lin, received a two-year ban from running for illegally using an electric first aid vehicle during the race to reach the finish line.
In 2022, although Chen gained national attention, his smoking habit during races caused disapproval within the running community as well as the public on social media, some advocated banning him from future events. At that time, China lacked clear regulations banning smoking during marathons.
Chen Bangxian smoked while jogging 42km in 3 hours and 28 minutes. Photo: Sixthtone.
But in regulations issued in October 2023, the Xiamen event specifically classified smoking as “uncivilized behavior”, along with other actions such as urinating in public, littering, damaging flower beds, green areas and endangering the safety of other joggers. The Xiamen International Marathon, held on January 7 in the globally famous Fujian province. This year’s event attracted about 136,000 registrants, with more than 30,000 participants.
However, in other cities, efforts to ban smoking in many marathons are still in the early stages. Host cities such as Hangzhou and Guangzhou have regulations aimed at addressing forms of “uncivilized behavior”, but do not specifically ban smoking. Some cities are expected to announce smoking bans before events.
32-year-old marathon runner Ma Yujun, a seasoned athlete with 13 years of experience, said he supports such punishments, especially against smoking. “The running community really despises this behavior. During and after exercise, we need to breathe in more oxygen. Breathing secondhand smoke during these times is not only uncomfortable but also harmful. significant to those around them,” Ma explained.
Over the past few years, China has stepped up efforts to ban smoking in public places. There have even been decisions to ban smoking on certain roads.
Since 2010, Shanghai has enforced a smoking ban in competition and performance areas, a policy later adopted by Hangzhou in eastern China in 2018. Violating these rules can result in a fine of up to 200 yuan (700,000 VND), while organizers or administrative agencies that do not do a good job of controlling smoking can face fines ranging from 2,000 yuan. to 20,000 yuan.
In 2011, China implemented nationwide regulations to reduce smoking in public spaces. These regulations prohibit smoking in indoor public areas and stipulate that outdoor smoking areas cannot be located on pedestrian walkways.
Recent data from the National Health Commission shows that as of 2022, there will be about 350 million smokers in China, nearly a quarter of the population. According to a 2022 study in the Peking University Journal (Health Sciences), a significant portion of this demographic is over 36 years old.