China has announced that its long-awaited smoking ban will finally come into force in May, as the nation that accounts for one in five of the world’s smoking deaths tries to kick the habit.

But even as the May 1 start date approaches, authorities have not yet released any penalty or enforcement details, and officials are admitting it could be decades before people actually stop lighting up in public.

The health ministry, which first announced the measure last year, said earlier this week that “operators of public venues must put up striking warnings and notices about the smoking ban”.

In a statement, it added the ban would cover parks, hotels, theatres, museums and restaurants, but not offices.

Tobacco will also no longer be sold in vending machines.