Women in Shenzhen Confront Male Smokers in Public Campaigns

"They are doing a good thing." — Tan Tia-shan, a 40-year smoker, on the activists.

In Shenzhen, China, several women have begun publicly confronting men smoking in public areas, with some incidents gaining traction on social media.

Hilda Wang, who describes herself as a natural introvert, says she has changed her behavior due to her strong opposition to smoking. In a widely shared video, she lectures a male smoker, who objects to being filmed. Another activist, Luno Wang, states she confronts men she calls "bros," characterizing them as having lower IQ and being less civilized.

A Bus Stop Incident Draws Attention

In a separate incident, a woman confronted a smoker at a bus stop. When he refused to extinguish his cigarette, she poured juice on it. The man responded by throwing the empty cup at her, and both were arrested.

The woman later posted on Weibo that she was strip-searched, but her posts were subsequently removed. The state-owned China Daily reported that a female officer conducted a "safety check" according to regulations, and the man was fined for violating Shenzhen's no-smoking rules at bus stops.

Smoking Statistics and Public Reaction

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 45% of males and 2% of females over age 15 smoke tobacco in China.

Tan Tia-shan, a restaurant kitchen worker who has smoked for 40 years, says he loves smoking but does not mind the activists. "They are doing a good thing," he noted.

Other men interviewed by NPR expressed openness to being lectured if it helps them quit.

"I would not mind being lectured if it helps me quit." — Male smokers interviewed by NPR.