Abstract: Objective To evaluate the tobacco control efforts in the governmental institutions in Shanghai, Tianjin, Heilongjiang, Henan, Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangxi provinces (municipality) and provide evidence to develop the evaluation indicator system of tobacco control in China. Methods Evaluation indicators were developed after literature review, expert consultation and panel discussion. Questionnaire surveys, observations and random surveys were conducted in 113 governmental institutions selected by stratified random sampling in the 7 provinces. The scores of tobacco control efforts and no smoking area division were calculated by percentage assignment method. The correlation between tobacco control efforts and no smoking area division was analyzed. Results The scores of policy support, political commitment, capability and performance for tobacco control were highest in Shanghai but lowest in Jiangxi. The score of no smoking area division was highest in Shanghai but lowest in Jiangxi, too. The differences among other provinces were not significant. The statistical correlation between score of tobacco control effort and score of no smoking area division was observed in all 7 provinces. Conclusion The survey results reflected the current status of tobacco control investment in these governmental institutions. The tobacco control effort score was consistent with the score of no smoking area division.