From "Lonely Planet Online"

Asian Capitals Cleaning Up Their Acts
On the same day that central Tokyo banned smoking on its streets, Beijing has introduced strict new laws to put the clampers on spitting and littering in the Chinese capital. Japan's reputation as a tobacco addicts' paradise has been dealt a major blow with a new regulation to help keep Tokyo litter-free and cut down on the number of incidents where people are burned by passing smokers. While 50 uniformed 'cigarette patrol officers' will initially only issue warnings, as of next month anyone caught smoking on certain busy streets more than once will face a 20,000 yen (US$164) fine. An estimated 53 percent of Japanese men are smokers.

Beijing, meanwhile, has decided that spitting in public - a common practice in most of China where it is regarded as a natural and necessary bodily function - is out. The ban is part of a campaign to spruce up the capital, which plays host to a Communist Party congress next month and the Olympics in 2008. Litterers are also up for a fine, and anyone posting unauthorised leaflets or advertisements will be fined 1000 yuan (US$120). China has pledged to invest billions of dollars in preparations for the 2008 Olympics, including spending on a massive construction binge, an environmental clean-up and a campaign to teach taxi drivers English.