World Health Organization Seeks National Smoke-Free Law for China

One million people per year in China die of tobacco-related illnesses, a number that could be if the country adopted a nationwide smoke-free law similar to Beijing's smoking ban, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Monday.

"China's addiction to tobacco is taking a dreadful toll on its health, its society, and its economy. And China's smokers are not only hurting themselves, but also their friends, family, and others around them. The rates of exposure to second-hand smoke are extraordinarily high, with devastating health consequences for those affected," said Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China, in a statement.

More than 1 million people die each year in China from tobacco-related illnesses. If current smoking habits continue, this number is expected to triple by the year 2050, WHO said.

An additional 100,000 people die in China every year as a result of exposure to second-hand smoke, which can make indoor venues more polluted than the air outside even on the most heavily polluted days.

"China is unfortunately a world leader in second-hand smoke exposure: among the countries we work in, China has the highest rates of smoking in workplaces and homes, and among the highest rates in restaurants and bars. This puts the health of millions of non-smokers at risk every single day," said Dr. Geoffrey T. Fong, principal investigator, of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project (ITC Project).

The new report issued Monday demonstrates that there is likely to be strong popular support for a national smoke-free law. The ITC Project data shows that even smokers are supportive of smoke-free laws, particularly in workplaces. Support for smoke-free bars among smokers is higher in China than it was in other countries, such as Ireland, Scotland (United Kingdom), and France before such smoking bans were introduced.

Beijing banned smoking in public spaces on June 1, which coincides with WHO's No Tobacco Day. While the ban has been largely successful so far, the arrival of colder weather – and the continued willingness of Beijingers to report smoking citizens that is the key enforcement mechanism of the new law – will determine its long-term success.

Photo: World Health Organization

source: http://www.thebeijinger.com