Smoking ban expected by Beijing
Updated: 2012-02-16 16:58
By Cao Yin and Zheng Xin (chinadaily.com.cn)
|
||||||||
BEIJING - A ban on smoking will be written into the capital's municipal regulations as the city increases its anti-smoking efforts.
Measures banning smoking are on the legislative agenda and the government is expected to pass the regulations, Zhang Yin, director of the legal office from the Beijing Municipal People's Congress, told China Daily at the top legislature 2012 working conference.
Although there is a smoking ban in public places, it has not been well enforced, Zhang said. The new regulations are expected strengthen enforcement, he said.
"Smoking is a serious problem that the public has complained about. We must figure out how to enforce a smoking ban," Zhang said. "What we are doing now is to integrate all our research on this and develop the groundwork for lawmakers to write the regulations," he added.
He did not disclose any specifics or details on what the regulations would say, or a timeline for when they will be passed.
As the biggest tobacco producer and consumer in the world, China has more than 300 million smokers, and 740 million are exposed to the second hand smoke. Some 1.2 million Chinese die from tobacco-related diseases every year, according to Vice-Minister of Health Huang Jiefu.
In a survey of some 40,000 students nationwide conducted by the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control, 15.8 percent of the high school students smoke and 22.5 percent say they want to try smoking.
"Smoking has become quite prevalent among students," said association spokesman Suo Chao. "Twelve to 14 year-olds are especially vulnerable."
According to the World Health Organization, there are 1.25 billion smokers worldwide. Six million die from tobacco-related diseases every year, and the figure will soar to 8 million in 2030 if the trend continues at this pace.
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |