Chinese Athletic Association proposes smoking ban in response to viral chain-smoking marathoner
Before you read:
China’s sports governing body is apparently aware of the local who went viral for smoking while participating in a marathon, and they do not approve.
Chen Bangxian, also popularly known as Uncle Chen or Smoking Brother, was photographed smoking cigarettes while running a 42-kilometer (approximately 26-mile) marathon on Nov. 6.
Despite his chain smoking, the 50-year-old finished the foot race in less than 3.5 hours and ranked 574th out of nearly 1,500 runners.
The athlete’s unhealthy indulgence during the marathon propelled him into international virality, but now the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA), which oversees the country’s athletic events, has proposed that race organizers across the country ban smoking at marathons.
On Dec. 5, the CAA issued a proposal titled “Proposal for Running Civilized and Healthy Marathons” that calls for runners to “practice and abide by the regulations on smoking bans in public places, and be civilized, healthy, and positive citizens,” reported Canadian Running.
The CAA statement, which cited “a runner smoking during a marathon [who] attracted widespread media attention and caused a negative impact on society,” directed that runners should stay away from smoking and “nurture excellent hygiene habits and a civilized way of living,” according to state-owned media outlet Sixth Tone.
It will be up to race organizers to decide whether to implement the CAA’s proposal at their events.
Over 300 million people in China, or more than a quarter of its roughly 1.4 billion citizens, smoke tobacco, according to the World Health Organization.
Any ban on smoking at marathons will come as bad news to Chen, who reportedly only smokes while running and has been doing so since at least 2018.
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