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Tobacco control in China.
Ka Hung Chan1, Dan Xiao2, Maigeng Zhou3
1Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological Studies Unit, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Oxford British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
The Lancet. Public Health
|November 24, 2023
Summary
Despite increased tobacco control measures in China, half of adult men smoke, contributing to a rising death toll. Challenges remain, but opportunities exist to reduce smoking rates and improve public health.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Health Policy
Background:
- China is the world's largest consumer of cigarettes, with significant tobacco-attributed mortality and morbidity.
- Despite ratifying the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2005, progress in tobacco control faces substantial challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of cigarette consumption and disease burden in China.
- To assess the implementation and impact of key World Health Organization (WHO)-advocated tobacco control strategies.
- To identify obstacles and opportunities for future tobacco control efforts.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of cigarette consumption trends.
- Examination of disease burden attributed to tobacco use.
- Assessment of the implementation status of five WHO MPOWER strategies: taxation, package warnings, advertising bans, public smoking bans, and cessation services.
Main Results:
- Half of adult men in China smoke, while only 2% of women do.
- By the 2010s, smoking caused approximately one-fifth of all adult male deaths, a proportion that is increasing.
- Challenges include the influence of the national tobacco monopoly, low tobacco taxes, and weak enforcement of regulations.
Conclusions:
- Significant challenges persist in China's tobacco control efforts, including policy influence and regulatory weaknesses.
- Opportunities exist to target young women for smoking prevention and men for cessation programs.
- Addressing these challenges is crucial for China's long-term public health improvement.
