China is preparing to fulfill its obligations after signing the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. As the convention is to take effect this year, China says it plans to build a national anti-tobacco network down to the county level before 2005. However, experts say effective tobacco control is a long-term task in the country.
 
China's tobacco production and consumption account for one third of the world total. More than 350 million people over 15 years old in the country are smokers: that's over one quarter of the population! Prof. Yang Gonghuan, a tobacco-control expert from Peking Union Medical College, says if strict measures are not taken, China's tobacco addicts will increase to 450 million in the next thirty years.

"If no strict measures are taken in the anti-tobacco campaign, even with the current smoking growth rate, with population growth China's smokers will reach 450 million in the next thirty years."

To protect people's health, China has issued many rules and regulations concerning tobacco control and enrolled in WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control last year. Though much work has been done, Prof. Yang points out that because of weak public awareness and local protectionism for the tobacco industry, in many places it is difficult to carry out an effective anti-smoking campaign.

In recent years, a new phenomenon in China is the rapid increase of young smokers, especially young girls. To try to convince them of the dangers of smoking, over 700 primary and middle schools across the country have jointly held an annual activity: "Reject Cigarettes and be the Tobacco-free Generation." One student, Wang Xin from Beijing, says such activities help her to see the truth about smoking.

"Before, I thought it was cool for a girl to have a cigarette. After the campaign, I realized how dreadful smoking is, so I suggest that our young people should never smoke." Besides education carried out in schools, China has also established research and consultation centers to help nicotine addicts stop smoking. At the same time, medical professionals have developed drugs to help them quit the habit. There are now some 15 clinics in Beijing providing medical and psychological treatment for smokers. Although the anti-tobacco campaign has a long way to go, WHO representative in China Henk Bakedam gave a positive comment on China's anti-tobacco work.

(CRI July 13, 2004)