China is now taking small steps towards the "great leap" in tobacco prevention work, reads the headline of an analysis in the medical journal The Lancet.
The proportion of smokers among men is 60 percent and among women four percent. If the male proportion does not decrease, 100 million men currently in the age group 0-29 will die prematurely from smoking. This calculation is found in a recent study published in the British Medical Journal.
A Chinese statistical report, GATS, clarifies the scope of measures required to sharply reduce smoking among men, ensure that it does not increase among women, and protect non-smokers, especially children, from passive smoking.
The report shows that only one in four Chinese adults are aware of the risks of smoking, and an even smaller proportion want to quit. The lack of knowledge also exists among 40 percent of healthcare workers.
The GATS report is considered a step towards more effective tobacco control and full implementation of the WHO Tobacco Control Convention, which China has ratified.
Obstacles in the way are the very low cigarette prices that have been achieved so far. They are perceived as a social benefit. The tobacco tax share of the price is significantly below the WHO benchmark of 75 percent.
Six percent of the Chinese government's revenue comes from tobacco taxes. The Lancet estimates that even a modest initial increase in taxes would reduce smoking while also providing the government with greater tax revenue.
According to The Lancet, the Chinese regime's willingness to truly tackle the tobacco problem is reflected in the country's involvement in the international conference on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in New York last fall.
More than 80 percent of all deaths in China are caused by such diseases, cancer, lung diseases and cardiovascular diseases. The goal of increasing life expectancy requires vigorous efforts to prevent them. Preventing tobacco use is an effective way.
Local initiatives for smoke-free environments in several large cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, show that it is possible to limit smoking. The best example is Hong Kong, where decisions on smoke-free environments have been followed by more tobacco prevention measures. The result is that the proportion of men who smoke has decreased to below 20 percent.
The Chinese government is now preparing a white paper on smoking in the country and the measures needed to reduce it and save millions of lives.
Sources: British Medical Journal
The Lancet, 3 March 2012, volume 379; issue 9818; pages 779-780
