World No Tobacco Day in China

World Today

Saturday is World No-Tobacco Day. It aims to highlight the risks associated with the substance that kills nearly six-million people every year. CCTV reporter Ai Yang takes a look at how Beijing is trying to stub out smoking in China.

China beefs up tobacco control

Saturday is World No-Tobacco Day. It aims to highlight the risks associated with the substance that kills nearly six-million people every year. CCTV reporter Ai Yang takes a look at how Beijing is trying to stub out smoking in China.

Chinese people smoke the most cigarettes in the world. They are the fuel of the tobacco industry, consuming a whopping 1.7 trillion cigarettes every year.

“I see more and more smokers around me and more young people smoke these days. This is really bad.”

“There are people who smoke in front of children in the hospital and some wouldn’t stop when asked. This is very irresponsible. There should be financial penalties on such behavior.”

Albeit slowly, the Chinese government has beefed up its anti-smoking measures recent years. Starting in 2014, the Central Party School and the State Council have both issued directives on tobacco, banning cigarette purchases with public funds and urging officials to quit smoking. The country is also drafting a national smoke-free law.

Gregory Tsang, tobacco control activist, said: “…a good start…effectiveness yet to be weighed…”

Tobacco revenues contribute about 7 percent to China’s GDP – A factor that weighs on the anti-smoking campaign. However, activists believe the economic benefits tobacco brings cannot offset its consequences.

As Gregory Tsang said: “…..many people die….”

As the largest producer, consumer of tobacco in the world, China faces a number of barriers from economic to structural in tobacco control. It is certainly a very difficult battle, but one that must be carried on, as tens of millions of lives can be saved by a less smoky environment.

To address this concern, China may follow the example of other countries in raising tobacco taxes to discourage smoking.
Our reporter Guan Yang has been looking into the taxation debate.

China\\\'s Tobacco Taxation Dilemma

Saturday is World No-Tobacco Day. In China, smoking has reached levels many would consider alarming. Nearly one-in-four is a smoker. To address this concern, China may follow the example of other countries in raising tobacco taxes to discourage smoking. Our reporter GUAN YANG has been looking into the taxation debate.

Teh-Wei Hu from U-C Berkley’s School of Public Health joins CCTV’s Susan Roberts to talk more about the World No Tobacco Day.

Teh-Wei Hu on World No Tobacco Day

Teh-Wei Hu from U-C Berkley's School of Public Health joins CCTV's Susan Roberts to talk more about the World No Tobacco Day.

More Features on World No Tobacco Day: https://america.cgtn.com/blog/2014/05/29/world-no-tobacco-day-2014-raise-taxes-on-tobacco/