China has banned its officials from smoking in
public to set an example to the rest of the
country that has the world’s largest number of
smokers.
The official Xinhua News Agency said officials
are not allowed to smoke in schools, hospitals,
sports venues, on public transport or any other
places where smoking is banned, or to smoke
or offer cigarettes when performing official
duties. They also cannot use public funds to
buy cigarettes, and within Communist Party or
government offices tobacco products cannot
be sold nor adverts displayed.
Xinhua said on Sunday the rules were
contained in a circular from the Communist
Party’s central committee and the State
Council, or China’s cabinet.
There is no nationwide law banning smoking in
indoor public places, but the government has
tried to ban the practice in the past.
In 2011, the Health Ministry issued guidelines
banning smoking in venues including hotels
and restaurants, but these are not strictly
enforced. Experts say huge revenues from the
state-owned tobacco monopoly hinder anti-
smoking measures.
“Smoking remains a relatively universal
phenomenon in public venues. Some officials
smoke in public places, which has not only
jeopardised the environment and public health,
but tarnished the image of party and
government offices and leaders and has a
negative influence,” the circular read,
according to Xinhua.
China has more than 300 million smokers.
Smoking, which is linked to an average annual
death toll of 1.4 million people in China in
recent years, is one of the greatest health
threats the country faces, government
statistics show.
The annual number of cigarettes sold in the
country increased by 50 per cent to 2.52 trillion
in 2012 compared with 10 years earlier,
according to the Chinese Association on
Tobacco Control, which is overseen by health
authorities.
public to set an example to the rest of the
country that has the world’s largest number of
smokers.
The official Xinhua News Agency said officials
are not allowed to smoke in schools, hospitals,
sports venues, on public transport or any other
places where smoking is banned, or to smoke
or offer cigarettes when performing official
duties. They also cannot use public funds to
buy cigarettes, and within Communist Party or
government offices tobacco products cannot
be sold nor adverts displayed.
Xinhua said on Sunday the rules were
contained in a circular from the Communist
Party’s central committee and the State
Council, or China’s cabinet.
There is no nationwide law banning smoking in
indoor public places, but the government has
tried to ban the practice in the past.
In 2011, the Health Ministry issued guidelines
banning smoking in venues including hotels
and restaurants, but these are not strictly
enforced. Experts say huge revenues from the
state-owned tobacco monopoly hinder anti-
smoking measures.
“Smoking remains a relatively universal
phenomenon in public venues. Some officials
smoke in public places, which has not only
jeopardised the environment and public health,
but tarnished the image of party and
government offices and leaders and has a
negative influence,” the circular read,
according to Xinhua.
China has more than 300 million smokers.
Smoking, which is linked to an average annual
death toll of 1.4 million people in China in
recent years, is one of the greatest health
threats the country faces, government
statistics show.
The annual number of cigarettes sold in the
country increased by 50 per cent to 2.52 trillion
in 2012 compared with 10 years earlier,
according to the Chinese Association on
Tobacco Control, which is overseen by health
authorities.
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