During a recent online survey, 55.8 percent of Beijing's smokers said they intended to stub out the habit, according to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday.

The poll was conducted between June 29 to July 1 by Beijing Patriotic Health Campaign Committee. Of the 16,074 respondents, 4,437 were smokers, among whom 55.8 percent said they wanted to abandon the habit.

Jiang Yuan, deputy director of the Tobacco Control Office under the center, said that before the smoking ban only 30 percent of Beijingers said they wanted to quit.

Beijing's ban, which has been in effect since June 1, prohibits smoking in all indoor public places, workplaces, and on public transportation.

Xiao Lin, associate professor with the office, said the ban has effectively increased public awareness of the dangers of tobacco.

According to the poll, of the 11,637 non-smokers, 84.8 percent said they would like to help family and friends quit smoking.

Additionally, 83.9 percent of respondents were aware of the smoking ban, and 63.7 percent said they had some knowledge about the rules.