As the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) marks a decade of saving lives, the WHO in China is highlighting the urgent need for strong progress on tobacco control in China in 2015 – to ensure greater protection from tobacco-related harms in the world’s most populous country.
“As we celebrate the remarkable work of the WHO FCTC around the world over the past 10 years, China is poised to take a massive leap forward on tobacco control in 2015," said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO Representative in China
“Beijing’s 100% smoke-free law is due to come into effect on 1 June; draft national regulations to make all public places across China smoke-free are before the State Council; and the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee is currently considering stronger restrictions on tobacco advertising,” Dr Schwartländer said.
“If the draft national smoke-free regulation is passed in its current form, and a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising as required by the WHO FCTC is adopted by the NPC Standing Committee, this would represent unprecedented progress towards China meeting its obligations under the WHO FCTC,” Dr Schwartländer explained.
“And most importantly, these policies will translate to millions of saved lives – and millions of Chinese families saved the heartache of losing a loved one before their time, as a result of the hazards of tobacco addiction,” Dr Schwartländer continued.
In 2011, WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, told the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on noncommunicable diseases: “Full implementation of the WHO FCTC would bring the single biggest blow to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease.”
China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco products. There are more than 300 million smokers in the country – with 28.1% of adults, and more than half of all adult men, regular smokers. More than 1 million people die from tobacco-related illness every year – around 3000 people every day. In addition, over 700 million people are routinely exposed to second-hand smoke, which kills approximately 100,000 people every year.
About the WHO FCTC:
The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2003, and entered into force on February 27 2005. There are now 180 Parties to the WHO FCTC.
China ratified the WHO FCTC in 2005; the treaty entered into force in China in January 2006.
The WHO FCTC is the first treaty negotiated under the auspices of the World Health Organization. The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
About the World Health Organization:
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
For more information please contact
Ms WU Linlin
WHO China Office
E-mail: wul@wpro.who.int
Office Tel: +86 10 6532 7191
Related Links:
- WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
- Regional Action Plan for the Tobacco Free Initiative in the Western Pacific (2015–2019)