Group slams award for big tobacco

An anti-smoking organization in Beijing is seeking the recall of an award presented to the China National Tobacco Corp in June in recognition of its contributions to the environment.

The China Green Foundation said on Wednesday that the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control had sent them a letter asking them to rescind the award to the company, which also serves as a government bureau, "in consideration of the health damage and environmental pollution imposed by the tobacco company".

"This behavior is totally against the spirit of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control," said Suo Chao, the association's media manager. "It is essential that the foundation recalls the award and promise not to confer awards to such companies in the future."