Got a Light? The Status of Smoking in China

Got a Light? The Status of Smoking in China
Dec 12, 2011 By Jessie Chien , eChinacities.com

China’s nationwide smoking ban, which prohibited lighting up in any public space anywhere in the country, was put into effect in January 2010. Similar bans had been effectively enacted in major cities across the Unites States, and throughout most Western European countries as recently as last year. It was a shock to many when even smoke-centric Italy and Germany laid down their lighters and joined the front to fight for smoke-free public spaces. But if you’ve been living in China for the past two years, you wouldn’t know such a policy was enacted here, too. Any evening, at any restaurant or bar, the clouds of smoke aren’t trying to hide from anyone.

A Chinese Epidemic

Outside of China’s expat population, the percentage of smokers in this nation is heavily skewed towards one gender: Over half of China’s adult male population regularly smokes, compared to a mere 2.4% of the female population. In a society still dominated by peer pressure, social influence and public reputation, there is no easy way to “just say no” when offered a cigarette.

Smoking, no matter with friends, business partners, or family, is not only a symbol of camaraderie and partnership, but can also be a form of respect. Denying a cigarette from a potential business partner can be detrimental to the deal. During banquets, cigarettes offered as a gesture of one’s appreciation will rarely be declined. Refusing a smoke will not be interpreted as a man’s knowledge of his own health, but as a potential symbol of weakness and a chance of losing face.

Within circles of Chinese teens, though the pressures of adulthood and potential business deals haven’t settled in yet, peer pressure acts the same as it always has. Another study postulated that one-third of male teens and 8% of female teens in China smoke. There are no age limitations for the sale of tobacco products, and the youth have yet to be fully educated about the risks of smoking. The taboo that has been placed in many places like the U.S., where high-school kids secretively smoke pawned cigarettes in the dim shadows of abandoned parking lots, has not yet reached their Chinese counterparts.

Who’s to blame?

But who is responsible for educating the Chinese, young and old? The Chinese are tied with the Koreans for second place with the highest percentage of smokers within their population, coming in second only to significantly underdeveloped and uneducated Cambodia. In fact, one third of cigarettes consumed worldwide are smoked in China each year, at a staggering rate of approximately 3 million per minute

The governmental organisation responsible for anti-smoking policies in China is the State Tobacco Monopoly Association (STMA). Coincidentally (or, perhaps not), this organisation also oversees the China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), the nation’s largest and most prolific cigarette producers. The CNTC is actually the largest in the world, accounting for 30% of the world’s supply. In 2009, the CNTC produced 2.3 trillion cigarettes. Incredibly, in 2010, China’s Big Tobacco paid 498.85 billion Yuan in taxes to the Chinese Government, accounting for a staggering 8% of the Government’s revenue. Talk about a conflict of interest!

Even when a hike in tobacco taxes was implemented by the government in 2009, the tobacco companies easily absorbed the additional costs to keep their prices down. And cheap they remain. With a pack of cigarettes costing as low as 4 RMB for local Chinese brands (leaving this author to only imagine what the cigarettes contain within), the Chinese are hard pressed for any financial incentives to quit. Nor are they finding any desperate pleas coming from the health sector.

Paging Dr. Smoke?

Almost 60% of male physicians have admitted to smoking in front of their patients. Until very recently, smoking had not even been restricted in many of the nation’s hospitals and health care facilities – and if it was, offenders certainly were not punished or fined. In a survey conducted by World Health Organization (WHO), 60% of the 300 million smokers in this country did not know that smoking could lead to lung cancer. A whopping 96% of the same folks were not aware that it led to heart diseases.

In an age where KFC and McDonalds are combining forces to create an obese generation of Chinese children, this statistic is even more alarming. If the Chinese do not become educated on the risks of smoking, combined with their rising obesity problems, a healthy future for the Chinese population looks as dismal as the ash at the end of their cigarettes.

Smokers vs. Non-smokers: An age-old battle

As foreigners, we have long been engrained with the idea that smoking is bad for our health. With laws enacted in the US ages ago, and more recently the ban of smoking in public places in most of the E.U., it has become culturally unacceptable to smoke even in some outdoor locations. To an expat smoker, Chinese bars and restaurants become a haven where one can have dinner, enjoy a beer and have a smoke – and not be completely ostracised by your peers. And perhaps the best news of all, China provides an inexpensive alternative to an otherwise wallet-busting habit.

But to non-smokers, the crowded and smoky bars, smell of cheap cigarettes and walking behind too many smoking Chinese men (who smell enough as it is) gets old all too quickly. Etiquette suggests it is hospitable to keep a supply of cigarettes, an ashtray and lighter in your house, even if you don’t smoke – an absolutely outrageous concept to some foreigners.

But certainly, both smokers and non-smokers alike cannot deny the adverse health effects that smoking yields, and as expats we should probably know this better than the 60% of Chinese who don’t. Both sides must admit that China could do a better job managing its tobacco regulations and smoking laws. More options should be provided, rules enforced, and people educated. As China is opening up to the Western world, it is realising that it can’t stay under a cloud of smoke forever. Unfortunately, only a minority of China’s population is rejoicing. Everyone else is left wondering what gift to give when invited to the next banquet.

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Keywords: smoking in China smoking laws in China how many smokers in China health of Chinese population cigarettes in China

11 Comments

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Gaz

Smoking is Cooooool...yum.

Mar 28, 2012 06:27 Report Abuse

Alex

Number Six, Man you guys are just so full of yourselves. One day someone will punch you into next week!! If you even tried to do what you say, I would knock your block off! What right have you idiots got to come to China and try to enforce a "No Smoking Policy? You should piss off back to your little feministic, socialistic World!! Bring it on!!

Dec 14, 2011 02:56 Report Abuse

poo888

So you think your way is best, get a life and move with the times, people like you are the ones who dont care about anyone except themselves,and dont care about your country, we idiots as you call us are trying to educate the idiots like you and bring this wonderful country forward

Dec 14, 2011 16:59 Report Abuse

Alex

HP, if you get that close to someone than, maybe you get what you deserve. I've never blown smoke in anyones face and never will, someone who does is usually looking for a fight !
Grow up and stop writing provocative comments about "what you will do to people", that way, you want get an answer you and othersdon't like!

Dec 15, 2011 21:21 Report Abuse

Alex

HP, please read what I said, I did not say "I'll knock you into next week or anyone into next week for that matter!
I don't remember adding the words "Ya friggin dumbass", by the way, these aren't words I would use, I think Americans use them.
Get it together and read the replies and stop making rash statements, make an informed comment, not one you have made up!!

Dec 16, 2011 01:49 Report Abuse

poo888

I think everyone is wasting time with this jerk............self centered I am the best and dont give a s....about anybody or anything.......when hes dying of cancer he may remember our words

Dec 16, 2011 19:46 Report Abuse

Alex

What's wrong with you Poo Bear? stupid sepo idiot!!

Dec 17, 2011 00:41 Report Abuse

poo888

Nothing wrong with me your the one who started threatning everyone its OK butt breath live in your smokey unhealthy world

Dec 20, 2011 04:46 Report Abuse

poo888

Another waste of time No one obeys any laws in China once they are made because no one knows how to enforce them......The owners of the rest
should be fined or closed down for repeated offences. taxi drivers smoking with passengers on board should loose their job its about time someone did something but who??

Dec 13, 2011 16:48 Report Abuse

Dan Smith

If you made as much money on Cigarettes as Government do WORLDWIDE

Would you ban it?

This is a multi-BILLION if not TRILLION YUAN Racket

Those coffin nails keep a lot of bureaucrats in mistresses.

Dec 13, 2011 01:40 Report Abuse

jeff

while smoking in hospitals is wrong, the reason why smoking bans are not enforced is because majority rules. sorry non-smokers, drink some more green tea if you worried about your health...we all gotta die someday.

Dec 12, 2011 23:54 Report Abuse