'Smoke? See-Through!' Tech Toilets Spark Debate in Shenzhen

A high-tech deterrent against covert smoking has emerged in the public restrooms of a Shenzhen shopping complex: bathroom stall doors equipped with special glass that turns transparent upon detecting cigarette smoke, a measure that has triggered heated public discussion.

Reported by Shenzhen TV yesterday, the innovative anti-smoking system is now operational in some restrooms at the Shuibei International Center and Shuibei Jinzuo mall in Luohu District. The stall doors feature embedded electrochromic glass panels. Under normal conditions, the glass maintains an opaque, frosted appearance. However, once built-in smoke sensors detect tobacco smoke, the glass automatically electrifies, becoming completely transparent. The transformation is accompanied by an audible alarm.

A prominent warning sign on the door states: "Smoking Triggers Transparent Mode."

An on-site test by a Shenzhen TV reporter confirmed the immediate effect. Moments after a cigarette was lit inside a stall, the smoke alarm activated. Within seconds, the frosted glass turned clear, revealing the occupant's silhouette while the alarm sounded persistently.

Zhao Li, operations director of Shuibei Jinzuo, explained that the system, which was implemented earlier this year, addresses the persistent issue of restroom smoking. "We previously handled numerous smoking complaints daily. Cleaning staff consistently reported strong smoke odors severely affecting hygiene, and there was even a hazardous incident where a cigarette butt nearly ignited a trash bin," Zhao said.

She noted that while the mall strictly enforces Shenzhen's smoking control regulations, preventing individuals from smoking in restroom stalls had remained challenging. "That's why we turned to technology," Zhao added. Since installation, smoking incidents have decreased significantly, demonstrating the system's effectiveness.

Under the Shenzhen Smoking Control Regulations, smoking is prohibited in all indoor workplaces, indoor public areas, and on public transportation.

Public reaction has been mixed. While many netizens find the innovation intriguing and call for its wider adoption, others have raised concerns about potential privacy violations during restroom use.

From a legal standpoint, although this creative anti-smoking design does not explicitly cross any clear legal boundaries, it carries notable legal risks. Lu Weiguo from Guangdong Gehou Law Firm told Yangcheng Evening News that China's Civil Code clearly stipulates that natural persons enjoy the right to privacy, and no organization or individual may infringe upon others' privacy rights through intrusion, harassment, disclosure, or public exposure.

He emphasized that restroom activities in public toilets fall within the scope of legally protected privacy. Even if the facility aims to control smoking, the operator could potentially face civil liability for infringement if technical malfunctions or design flaws lead to the exposure of an innocent user's privacy.