China Attempts Public Smoking Ban

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

China Attempts Public Smoking Ban

One third of the world’s smokers are Chinese, according to the BBC. And in China, one million people a year die of smoking-related illnesses. This is why the country is attempting to implement a ban on smoking in public spaces, including restaurants, hotels, train stations, theaters and the like (smoking in the office is apparently still okay). But, however noble the intentions, the smoking ban comes as not much more than a casual reminder of the potential ill effects of smoking. Employers will be obliged to warn employees of the dangers of smoking, however, anyone who chooses to disobey will not be met with any form of punishment or penalty. It seems like education is a major issue as studies show that only one in four Chinese are aware of the potential health effects of cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke. Chinese officials would like to reduce the annual mortality numbers from smoking, but, at the same time, the government is the sole producer and distributor of all tobacco products in the country. A product which generates a lot of state money. [via BBC]

Did you know there’s even Third Hand Smoke?

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