Beijing subway to ban eating

Beijing intends to bring into effect stiffer regulations against smoking and eating in the subway, city authorities announced on Wednesday.

Passengers who eat or smoke in stations or trains will be warned and those who ignore the warning will be fined 50 ($8.23) to 500 yuan, according to the draft of security regulations in rail transportation by the Beijing legal affairs office.

Begging, busking, selling and distributing flyers will also be banned.

Authorities with the legal affairs office said the new regulations are for passenger safety.