Nanning, Guangxi Implements 'Strictest-Ever' Smoking Control Order, Starting with Children

 

According to reports from the Heated Tobacco Information Network, starting July 1, 2014, the "strictest smoking control order in history" known as the "Nanning Smoking Control Regulations" officially came into effect in Nanning, Guangxi. The regulations have changed the list of smoke-free areas, adding special zones related to the health of the next generation, such as kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and children's hospitals. These areas are now designated as public places where smoking is completely prohibited, both indoors and outdoors.
Recently, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention released the "2014 China Youth Tobacco Survey Report," which shows that the smoking rate among middle school students aged 13 to 15 is 6.4%, with some provinces reporting tobacco use rates as high as 20% among middle school students.
The harm caused by tobacco to young people is self-evident. Therefore, smoking control must start from a young age. The urgent task is to use economic means to reduce the likelihood of young people accessing tobacco, while also building a comprehensive smoking control network to keep youth away from the harms of tobacco.
Taxation and price leverage are important tools for tobacco control. Internationally, increasing tobacco consumption tax rates to strengthen smoking control is a common practice. Industry experts point out that if cigarette consumption tax could be doubled, retail prices could increase by about 100%, and cigarette consumption would decrease by at least 30%. Therefore, raising tobacco consumption taxes can reduce tobacco spending for low-income families and increase government revenue. Tobacco tax reform is closely linked to the transformation of the tobacco industry; based on increased tobacco consumption taxes, a dedicated tobacco tax fund could be established to define its uses, such as subsidizing tobacco farmers for crop transitions or funding healthcare and other social expenditures.
A socially participatory smoking control network is a necessary measure to prevent youth from accessing tobacco. Various departments and social organizations at all levels should play their roles in smoking control efforts. The film and television sector can help by prohibiting and reducing smoking scenes featuring characters, and strictly limiting tobacco advertising to keep youth away from tobacco temptations. Health departments can conduct lectures in schools and communities, set up exhibition booths, and promote awareness of the dangers of smoking among young people. Youth organizations can leverage their strengths to conduct diverse educational activities and self-protection actions, guiding young people to consciously refuse their first cigarette and advocate for a civilized, healthy lifestyle, among other initiatives.
Additionally, law enforcement efforts should be strengthened. Since the initiation of smoking control efforts in 1979, numerous regulations, rules, and notices have been issued, but some regulations remain imperfect, especially regarding penalties. Furthermore, the effectiveness of some legal policies has been less than satisfactory. Provisions in the "Framework Convention on Tobacco Control" such as "no sales of tobacco near schools" and "no sales to minors" have clearly not been effectively enforced. Law enforcement efforts should be intensified to effectively limit youth access to tobacco.
Preventing and controlling youth smoking is a long-term and arduous task that requires mobilizing the entire society to further focus on youth smoking control issues, allowing young people to stay away from the harms of tobacco and share a "smoke-free" world.