Chinese Athletic Association proposes smoking ban in response to viral chain-smoking marathoner
Before you read:
Chinese uncle chain-smokes during 26-mile marathon, beats his own record
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.
More from NextShark: Hong Kong’s Olympic champ Edgar Cheung Ka-long wins fencing World Cup gold
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.
More from NextShark: $60 Million Lottery Winner Claims Husband Dreamed of Winning Numbers
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.
More from NextShark: Memorial Sign for Deputy Bruce Lee is Vandalized in California
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.
Related stories:
Maskless crowds at World Cup cause uproar in China
More from NextShark: Canadian Man Caught on Video Screaming at Elderly Chinese Restaurant Worker Over Wait Time
Jeremy Lin fined by China over ‘inappropriate’ COVID remarks
Chinese Female Track Runners Go Viral for ‘Looking Like Men’
