The tobacco control regulation promulgated by the Ministry of Health recently is welcome news. As a nonsmoker, I strongly support the regulation, which meets the requirements of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and will benefit society as a whole.

Of course, meeting all the targets will not be an easy task for China, which has the world's largest smoking population and is the biggest tobacco producer. But if the entire society is motivated to act jointly to curb smoking, clearing the obstacles can become easier.

Some people argue that the regulation is a heavy blow to the tobacco industry and the millions of smokers, and will result in the loss of jobs and revenue. They say strict enforcement of the regulation could also result in social conflicts.

But the gains to be made in terms of healthcare, insurance and fire prevention would far outweigh the revenue loss.

A modern China needs a healthy lifestyle. Unhealthy habits are not friendly either to society or to the environment. Let's fight together for better health, longer life span and a tobacco-free China.

Wang Feng, via e-mail

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(China Daily 05/04/2011 page9)