China bans smoking in public venues — in theory LETTER 05/01/2011

China bans smoking in public venues — in theory

LETTER

05/01/2011
BEIJING — China launches a ban on smoking in indoor public spaces Sunday but the effort is widely viewed as vague and half-hearted and few expect it to have much of an impact in the tobacco-addicted country.

The nationwide prohibition is designed to bring China — which has more than 300 million smokers, roughly equal to the entire population of the United States — more in line with health regulations in developed countries.

But it faces a tough test.

Tobacco use is deeply ingrained in China, where offering a cigarette is a common greeting ritual. Lighting up in elevators or even hospital waiting rooms is routine and second-hand smoke is considered a serious health threat..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110501com6.html