BEIJING – In Beijing, which 18 months ago outlawed smoking in indoor areas such as restaurants, efforts are underway to beef up enforcement, the ABC News/Associated PressV reports. China is looking at a nationwide smoking ban in public places.

China has had a love-hate relationship with cigarettes, with many national leaders also smokers and a state-run cigarette monopoly bringing in a significant part of the national budget. But the cost of more than 300 million smokers is taking its toll on the public’s health.

The World Health Organization has been pushing for China to do more to stop smoking. Already, Chinese President Xi Jinping has requested other party officials to not light up in public and he himself has appeared to have stopped smoking.

Now the government is considering what kind of national smoking ban to pass. Advocates praise the impact the Beijing smoking ban has had on the city. “A couple of years ago, you couldn't enter any bar or any restaurant without being exposed to smoke,” said Dr. Bernhard Schwartlander. “Today, it's almost the absolute exception.”