China is home to more than 350 million smokers and more than 500 million exposed to passive smoking. Several years ago, the country signed World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and now the lawmakers are required to implement stronger tobacco-control regulations to reduce smoking rates in the country.
Therefore, Chinese authorities have pledged to introduce new anti-smoking measures, and enforce the existing ones, according to Michael O’Leary, representative of the World Health Organization in China.
Tobacco Control Office in Beijing was established in 2005. Among the aims of the Office was training of physicians in the field of smoking cessation counseling, who could work in special clinics dealing with smoking cessation upon the receipt of a certificate.
Li Yu, head of the Cessation Clinic for Tobacco Use Department at the Beijing Municipal Hospital said since its foundation the clinic had treated almost 2.000 smokers. However, according to Li these numbers are too small for such a conglomerate as Beijing.
The scientist considers that beside regulations, anti-smoking advocates’ efforts, public awareness on the risks related to smoking is essential when trying to reduce smoking across the country.
Though there is no uniform ban on smoking in indoor public places in China, many provinces prohibited smoking on their own. For instance, Shanghai Municipality recently prohibited smoking in hospitals, educational and sports facilities, and supermarkets.
However, authorities are facing challenges in enforcing the measure, as it is frequently flouted by local smokers, since the policemen who have to track smokers who violate smoking bans, are lighting up in public as well as the civilians. “China only begins its quest to become a smoke-free nation. And though there is a long way to go, I am confident we will succeed,” said O’Leary.
In March China Tobacco Control Office founded a nationwide quit line for those smokers who are willing to get rid of their habit and need professional assistance.
Only 14 days after the start of the program, more than 300 called and enrolled in the quit line, said Jiang Yuan, vice chairman of Tobacco Control Office.
The quit line offers a comprehensive assistance from medical counseling to nicotine-replacement therapies and group therapy; it also uses such means as text messaging, social networks and internet to encourage enrollees in their struggle with nicotine cravings.
According to Jiang, among the 300 participants of the quit line program, there are only men, what makes the World Health Organization call to protect women from smoking even more relevant.
The 2010 edition of World No Tobacco Day draws attention to the problem of female smoking around the world. The WHO stated that tobacco industry is trying to entice women and teenage girls into smoking by pressing marketing strategy. The organization also urges men to protect their wives, sisters and daughters from the risks of smoking.