around 1 million Chinese people die from a smoking related illness every year

Following the lead of developed nations around the world the Chinese government has agreed to implement a smoking ban in public places which will start in January, 2011. The regulations which will also cover offices and public transport will be in accordance with World Health Organisation Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines.

This is a major step for China because there are many millions of smokers in the country. The Chinese community health department director, Mr. Yang Qing also outlined incentives including a 500 yuan bonus which will be given to those men and women who quit smoking for a whole year and also harsh penalties for those who fail to observe the smoking rules.

The Chinese government has obviously done their research because statistics show that the best method of getting people to quit is to offer them financial incentives. Despite the obvious health benefits of quitting smoking both men and women respond to financial rewards far more than health warnings.

The Health Ministry also signaled that they expected anybody working for government health departments to quit and said that it was now not permissible to give for receive tobacco as a gift.

It is estimated that the Chinese nation has more than 350 million smokers most of whom are men but with rapid westernisation and modernisation the smoking habit is fast becoming popular for young women. Government statistics estimate that around 1 million Chinese people die from a smoking related illness every year.

It has not been made clear whether the Chinese government will subsidise smoking cessation medications such as Champix made by Pfizer or sponsor smoking cessation counseling which is also known to be extremely effective in boosting quit rates. Since a smoking ban was enacted in the United Kingdom the number of people starting to smoke has fallen and the number of people quitting smoking has risen which is estimated to have saved the National Health Service millions of pounds.

The Chinese government will get every single penny it invests in smoking cessation campaigns back in the long term and should think of the financial outlay as an investment in the productivity of the nation.