The health ministry is considering smoking bans in designated public areas and will announce a policy this year, spokeswoman Kana Takahashi said by phone today, declining to provide more details.

• 女发言人在24日的电话中说，卫生部正考虑在指定的公共场所禁烟的政策，将在今年宣布。但她拒绝提供更多的细节。