Over 80% Chinese to be Covered by Smoking-Free Regulations

Over 80% of China's population will be under smoke-free legal protection as of 2030, according to an action plan to implement the Healthy China initiative and promote people's health.

According to the action plan, Party and government branches at all levels will become smoking-free, and smoking will get gradually banned throughout indoor public spaces, workplaces and public transport.

Currently, there are over 300 million smokers in China, and over 1 million people die of smoking-related diseases annually.

As of the end of 2018, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xi'an have implemented a complete ban on smoking in indoor public spaces.

Besides, China's National Health Commission (NHC) plans to regulate e-cigarettes through legislation in a bid to address critical concerns over the product's harmful effects.

Currently, the NHC has been conducting joint research with other relevant departments on the issue, said Mao Qunan, head of the planning department of NHC at a press conference held on Monday.

Studies have shown the aerosol generated by e-cigarettes contains toxic elements, and various additives in the products pose health risks to the users, said Mao.

Besides, the ambiguous labeling of nicotine content in e-cigarettes could result in an overdose of the unhealthy chemical, along with other potential hazards such as battery explosion, liquid leaking and burning, he said.

Source: Xinhua

Editor: Crystal Huang