Authorities in 11 cities in southern China will ban roadside barbecue stalls from November 1 as part of efforts to clean up the air for next month's Asian Games in Guangzhou, state media said Tuesday.

The barbecue ban is the latest in a number of environmental measures taken ahead of the November 12-27 Asiad as officials try to head off any complaints about air pollution from the nearly 12,000 athletes due to compete.