Latest ban on smoking contains 'imperfections'
Source: Agencies |
May 2, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S latest push to ban smoking in indoor public venues came into effect yesterday, but the vaguely defined expanded rules, said to contain "imperfections," were not expected to dramatically reduce the country's heavy tobacco addiction.
The Health Ministry in late March released amended guidelines on the management of public places that now ban smoking in more venues such as hotels and restaurants, though still excluding workplaces.
Dr Yang Gonghuan, director of China's National Office of Tobacco Control, said despite problems with the new rules, she remained hopeful they could raise awareness of tobacco control efforts. She said her office was not responsible for implementing the rules.
"I also acknowledge that there are imperfections in the Health Ministry's current guidelines, and that preparations for carrying it out have also been insufficient," Yang said. "But I think we should all come together to help push forward the regulation's implementation."
The rules are part of the Health Ministry's regulations on health management in public places.
The revised regulations call for no-smoking signs to be put up in public places and require owners or managers to allocate staff who would stop patrons from smoking.
China has already missed a January 9 deadline to ban smoking in public indoor venues, in accordance with a World Health Organization-backed global anti-tobacco treaty. Experts say huge revenues from the state-owned tobacco monopoly hinders anti-smoking measures.
Smoking, linked to the deaths of at least 1 million people in China every year, is one of the greatest health threats the country faces, government statistics show. Nearly 30 percent of adults in China smoke, about 300 million people - roughly equal to the entire United States population.
The Health Ministry in late March released amended guidelines on the management of public places that now ban smoking in more venues such as hotels and restaurants, though still excluding workplaces.
Dr Yang Gonghuan, director of China's National Office of Tobacco Control, said despite problems with the new rules, she remained hopeful they could raise awareness of tobacco control efforts. She said her office was not responsible for implementing the rules.
"I also acknowledge that there are imperfections in the Health Ministry's current guidelines, and that preparations for carrying it out have also been insufficient," Yang said. "But I think we should all come together to help push forward the regulation's implementation."
The rules are part of the Health Ministry's regulations on health management in public places.
The revised regulations call for no-smoking signs to be put up in public places and require owners or managers to allocate staff who would stop patrons from smoking.
China has already missed a January 9 deadline to ban smoking in public indoor venues, in accordance with a World Health Organization-backed global anti-tobacco treaty. Experts say huge revenues from the state-owned tobacco monopoly hinders anti-smoking measures.
Smoking, linked to the deaths of at least 1 million people in China every year, is one of the greatest health threats the country faces, government statistics show. Nearly 30 percent of adults in China smoke, about 300 million people - roughly equal to the entire United States population.
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