Smoking Deterrent Goes High-Tech - men’s toilet doors that turn transparent when users smoke

Shenzhen jewellery malls have introduced smart restroom doors that turn transparent when smoke is detected, discouraging smoking in non-smoking areas. Installed in men’s toilets, the system aims to enforce strict indoor smoking bans. While praised online for effectiveness and innovation, legal experts caution about privacy risks if the technology malfunctions.

A pair of shopping complexes in southern China have rolled out an unconventional strategy to curb smoking in restricted areas: restroom doors that reveal what’s happening inside if someone lights up. The eye-catching measure, recently highlighted online, is designed to enforce smoke-free rules in public spaces.

The system has been installed in men’s toilets at Shenzhen’s Shuibei International Centre and the Shuibei Jinzuo Building, both well-known jewellery malls in Guangdong province, according to local media reports. The doors are fitted with smart glass that normally blocks visibility but switches to clear shortly after detecting cigarette smoke.

Posted notices alert restroom users to the mechanism, cautioning that smoking could result in unexpected public exposure and unwanted online attention. The warning has quickly become part of the story’s viral appeal.

Reaction on social media has largely been supportive. Many commenters argue that conventional approaches—such as no-smoking signs or modest penalties—often fail to deter offenders. By contrast, the possibility of public embarrassment is seen as a stronger incentive to follow the rules.

Shenzhen enforces strict regulations against smoking in indoor public venues, and both shopping centres are officially designated smoke-free. Despite this, mall management had reportedly received frequent complaints from customers and tenants about people smoking in restrooms.

A staff member at the Jinzuo Building, identified by the surname Zhao, said the initiative was launched on a trial basis in August. Since then, feedback from both retailers and visitors has been largely positive, with fewer complaints reported.

Mall operators say privacy safeguards are in place. The glass is activated only by smoke, and an override button will be available in case the system is triggered unintentionally.

However, legal experts have urged caution. Local lawyer Lu Weiguo noted that if technical failures lead to violations of personal rights, the property managers could face legal consequences. Even so, many observers continue to applaud Shenzhen’s willingness to experiment with novel solutions to long-standing public health challenges.