"They Thought Smoking in the Restroom Would Go Unnoticed... Chinese Shopping Mall Implements Drastic Measures"

Opaque glass turns transparent when smoke is detected
Some raise concerns over potential privacy violations

A shopping center in China has attracted attention by introducing an unusual measure to eradicate smoking in restrooms. The center has implemented a system in which part of the restroom stall door automatically becomes transparent when cigarette smoke is detected. On December 25 (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the cases of the Shubei International Center and Shubei Pearl Building shopping centers in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, which have recently garnered attention on Chinese online communities.

A technology that makes the glass door transparent when cigarette smoke is detected in the restroom of a shopping center in Guangdong Province, China has been applied. Photo by Taiwan TVBS

During a recent renovation, the shopping center replaced part of the restroom stall doors with special opaque glass. Under normal circumstances, the interior is not visible, but when a smoke detector senses cigarette smoke, the glass turns transparent within seconds, making the inside visible from the outside. The shopping center has also posted a warning inside the restroom stating, "The glass will become transparent if you smoke. If you don't want to become famous online, please refrain from smoking."

Shenzhen strictly prohibits indoor smoking in public places, and the shopping center is also a completely smoke-free building. However, repeated incidents of smoking in restrooms have made management difficult, leading the center to adopt this strong "exposure warning" approach. Chinese netizens have responded by saying, "It definitely seems effective," while also raising concerns about potential privacy violations if the sensors malfunction.

In response, the shopping center explained, "The smoke detectors are set to react only to cigarette smoke, and a reset button will be installed near the glass window to address possible sensor malfunctions." Although the technology itself does not violate the law, some analysis suggests there are still legal risks. A lawyer in Guangdong pointed out that if the glass malfunctions and a customer's privacy is violated, the shopping center could be held legally responsible.

The glass window of a restroom stall in a shopping center in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, has turned transparent after detecting cigarette smoke. Photo by Taiwan TVBS

Various efforts are being made to address restroom smoking issues not only in China but also in some other countries. In one office building in Beijing, a system automatically broadcasts a warning if smoking is detected in the restroom. In certain subway station restrooms in Shanghai, a device repeatedly plays an announcement about fines for smoking. In addition, some commercial facilities in Tokyo, Japan, operate a system that immediately notifies management and sounds a loud warning when restroom smoking is detected, while in Singapore, immediate fines are imposed for smoking in public restrooms.