A program to help primary and high school students develop healthy habits is being extended in Guangzhou, where one out of five students has smoked cigarettes.

The capital of Guangdong Province has put the spotlight on students' health, to help them develop better habits.

In Guangzhou, 15 per cent of the teachers in primary and high schools smoke.

Early last year, the city launched a program of health education in 11 pilot primary and middle schools.

The program was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

In addition, the pilot schools have been told to meet the standards set by WHO in the areas ranging from health policy, studying the relationship between the environment and society to health services.

The program is now being introduced to more schools in the city.

China introduced the program in 1995 and has moved to implement it across the nation in recent years.

Under the program, schools should provide a healthy studying environment for students, said Chen Zhaorong, an official with the Guangzhou Bureau of Education.

Chen said some students' unhealthy habits, such as smoking and reluctance for physical exercise, have hindered their psychological and physical development.

"The unhealthy habits developed in students' early age will no doubt bring negative effects for their future development," said Chen.

(China Daily November 2, 2004)