Smoke, smoke, smoke those cigarettes and smoke local to boost economy

By Wu Jiayin | May 6, 2009, Wednesday |

Print Edition

A COUNTY government in Hubei Province is reported to be ordering all subsidiary departments and institutions to smoke local brands to boost the economy.

According to the document issued by Gong'an County, all local government departments must consume a total of 23,000 cartons of local cigarettes a year.

Departments that fail to fulfill the quota will be fined, Hubei-based Chutian Metropolis Daily reported on May 3.

Many people consider the document appalling, reflecting the county government's lack of common sense and disregard for employees' health.

In fact, the county government apparently released the document after some consideration, however flawed.

Although it is well-known that smoking and second-hand smoke is bad for health, there's not an outright ban of smoking in China. China has nearly 300 million smokers. About 1 million die of smoking-related illness every year.

Moreover, cigarettes, like alcohol, appear to be indispensable at many local official banquets and buying them is considered an entertainment fee.

The county government thus justifies itself by arguing that it is simply trying to support its local economy - smoke local.

People are going to smoke anyhow, so they ought to buy local.

The county has, however, misused its administrative power to support monopolies by local tobacco enterprises.

Do you expect this kind of local officials to have a scientific outlook of economic growth?

Chinese Views

About Us
|
Terms of Use
|
RSS
|
Privacy Policy
|
Contact Us
|
Shanghai Call Center: 962288
|
Tip-off hotline: 52920043

沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
|
互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
|
网络视听许可证：0909346
|
广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
|
增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012

Smoke, smoke, smoke those cigarettes and smoke local to boost economy

Email this to your friend