Tobacco Control Seminar Held in Shanghai, with E-Cigarettes Also Discussed
On August 8, 2018, a tobacco control seminar was held at the China Financial Information Center in Lujiazui, Pudong, jointly organized by the Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center, the Shanghai Association on Smoking Control, and the Shanghai Health Pro
On August 8, 2018, the “Shanghai Tobacco Control Seminar,” jointly hosted by the Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center, the Shanghai Association for Smoking Control, and the Shanghai Health Promotion Center, and guided by the Office of the Shanghai Health Promotion Commission, was held at the China Financial Information Center in Lujiazui, Pudong New Area. About 40 guests attended the meeting, including representatives from the Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress, the municipal government’s legislative affairs office, the 12345 hotline office, the Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission, various law enforcement departments (culture, health supervision, public security, food and drug supervision, education, transportation, and airport authorities), legal experts from the Shanghai No. 3 Intermediate People’s Court, medical experts from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, representatives from district and county patriotic health offices (Huangpu, Hongkou, and Songjiang), as well as media representatives. They engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on the progress, achievements, and problems of Shanghai’s tobacco control work. Mr. Wang Rui, Chairman of the Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center, and Mr. Si Xinli, Director of the center, attended the meeting. Mr. Wang Rui delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the organizers.
“One of the strictest tobacco control orders” after one and a half years: results have been achieved, but difficulties remain
Since the landmark amended Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Smoking Control in Public Places officially came into effect on March 1, 2017, they have received public support and expectations and have produced certain results. According to expert presentations at the seminar, in the first half of 2018 citywide
more than 16,000 anti-smoking activities were carried out, with 592,900 participations
Anti-smoking educational videos were played more than 109,000 times across various venues and platforms
The Shanghai 12345 citizen service hotline handled 12,600 tobacco-control-related cases
Tobacco control law enforcement departments inspected 115,060 legally designated smoke-free venues, fined 515 entities and 374 individuals, and imposed total fines of RMB 1.1548 million
At the same time, tobacco control officials also pointed out the four areas with the highest reporting rates and the greatest difficulty in supervision and enforcement:
Small and medium-sized independent restaurants
Entertainment venues such as internet cafes, KTVs, and mahjong parlors
Public areas in shopping centers and office buildings, such as stairwells and restrooms
Public transportation areas such as buses, subway entrances, railway stations, and airports
When discussing the complex situations faced in tobacco control venues, relevant experts also noted that factors such as the long time needed for verification, indoor-outdoor boundary areas that fall outside the scope of tobacco control, inconsistencies in internal company rules and enforcement, and differences in interpretation of the regulations among enforcement departments have all increased the practical difficulty of tobacco control. The experts also specifically pointed out that enforcement capacity needs to be continuously strengthened, but relying solely on enforcement teams will ultimately be far from enough. The root of enforcement lies within the organizations themselves. Only by increasing tobacco control awareness among institutions, especially by gaining spontaneous support and participation from organizational leaders, can the city’s tobacco control enforcement situation be fundamentally improved.
Wang Xiaodan, a medical expert from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, gave a comprehensive introduction to and interpretation of e-cigarettes, pointing out the firm conclusion regarding their harms and the current lack of effective regulation. She emphasized in particular that pollution to public environments caused by e-cigarettes, as well as the health risks that secondhand e-cigarette aerosol poses to others, require proactive attention.
Related reading: Study finds that using e-cigarettes and tobacco products increases the risk of oral cancer
Shanghai Tuoxin’s advocacy and promotion of tobacco control
The Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center has long been committed to advocating and encouraging company leaders to participate in person, actively cooperate with tobacco control enforcement, and combine guidance with enforcement to achieve completely smoke-free workplaces. Over the past three years, through extensive cooperation with government bodies and social organizations, the Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center has encouraged more than 300 leaders from private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and foreign-funded enterprises to participate in initiatives to create completely smoke-free workplaces. This year, 240 outstanding volunteers from districts and counties across Shanghai will also be recognized by the center, enabling volunteers to play a greater supporting role in tobacco control enforcement.
Completely Smoke-Free Workplace Initiative (Chinese)
June 6 — “Your Rights, My Responsibility” — Entrepreneur Initiative for Completely Smoke-Free Workplaces
“531 Tobacco and Heart Disease 2018 World No Tobacco Day Theme Promotion Event” and Tobacco Control Volunteer Recognition Conference
“530 Smoke-Free Shanghai, Healthy Shanghai” 2018 World No Tobacco Day Theme Promotion Event#p#Page Title#e#
Chairman Wang Rui also pointed out that Shanghai Tuoxin will continue to leverage its strengths, actively support Shanghai’s tobacco control enforcement efforts, and continue to offer suggestions and strategies for the city’s tobacco control work under the leadership of the Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission.
“One of the strictest tobacco control orders” after one and a half years: results have been achieved, but difficulties remain
Since the landmark amended Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Smoking Control in Public Places officially came into effect on March 1, 2017, they have received public support and expectations and have produced certain results. According to expert presentations at the seminar, in the first half of 2018 citywide
more than 16,000 anti-smoking activities were carried out, with 592,900 participationsAnti-smoking educational videos were played more than 109,000 times across various venues and platforms
The Shanghai 12345 citizen service hotline handled 12,600 tobacco-control-related cases
Tobacco control law enforcement departments inspected 115,060 legally designated smoke-free venues, fined 515 entities and 374 individuals, and imposed total fines of RMB 1.1548 million
At the same time, tobacco control officials also pointed out the four areas with the highest reporting rates and the greatest difficulty in supervision and enforcement:
Small and medium-sized independent restaurants
Entertainment venues such as internet cafes, KTVs, and mahjong parlors
Public areas in shopping centers and office buildings, such as stairwells and restrooms
Public transportation areas such as buses, subway entrances, railway stations, and airports
When discussing the complex situations faced in tobacco control venues, relevant experts also noted that factors such as the long time needed for verification, indoor-outdoor boundary areas that fall outside the scope of tobacco control, inconsistencies in internal company rules and enforcement, and differences in interpretation of the regulations among enforcement departments have all increased the practical difficulty of tobacco control. The experts also specifically pointed out that enforcement capacity needs to be continuously strengthened, but relying solely on enforcement teams will ultimately be far from enough. The root of enforcement lies within the organizations themselves. Only by increasing tobacco control awareness among institutions, especially by gaining spontaneous support and participation from organizational leaders, can the city’s tobacco control enforcement situation be fundamentally improved.
Wang Xiaodan, a medical expert from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University, gave a comprehensive introduction to and interpretation of e-cigarettes, pointing out the firm conclusion regarding their harms and the current lack of effective regulation. She emphasized in particular that pollution to public environments caused by e-cigarettes, as well as the health risks that secondhand e-cigarette aerosol poses to others, require proactive attention.
Related reading: Study finds that using e-cigarettes and tobacco products increases the risk of oral cancer
Shanghai Tuoxin’s advocacy and promotion of tobacco control
The Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center has long been committed to advocating and encouraging company leaders to participate in person, actively cooperate with tobacco control enforcement, and combine guidance with enforcement to achieve completely smoke-free workplaces. Over the past three years, through extensive cooperation with government bodies and social organizations, the Shanghai Tuoxin Health Promotion Center has encouraged more than 300 leaders from private enterprises, state-owned enterprises, and foreign-funded enterprises to participate in initiatives to create completely smoke-free workplaces. This year, 240 outstanding volunteers from districts and counties across Shanghai will also be recognized by the center, enabling volunteers to play a greater supporting role in tobacco control enforcement.Completely Smoke-Free Workplace Initiative (Chinese)
June 6 — “Your Rights, My Responsibility” — Entrepreneur Initiative for Completely Smoke-Free Workplaces
“531 Tobacco and Heart Disease 2018 World No Tobacco Day Theme Promotion Event” and Tobacco Control Volunteer Recognition Conference
“530 Smoke-Free Shanghai, Healthy Shanghai” 2018 World No Tobacco Day Theme Promotion Event#p#Page Title#e#
Chairman Wang Rui also pointed out that Shanghai Tuoxin will continue to leverage its strengths, actively support Shanghai’s tobacco control enforcement efforts, and continue to offer suggestions and strategies for the city’s tobacco control work under the leadership of the Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission.
