Asia-Pacific Seeks 5% Reduction in Smoking Rate Over the Next Five Years

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 25 (Reporter Hu Hao) Approximately half of the world's smokers are in the Asia-Pacific region. To eliminate the harm of tobacco and protect health rights, the 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco Control, which concluded in Beijing on the 25th, passed a declaration advocating joint efforts to achieve a 5% reduction in smoking rates over the next five years.

The Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco Control was initiated by non-governmental tobacco control organizations from Asia-Pacific countries and regions, with the first conference held in 1989. The 11th Asia-Pacific Conference on Tobacco Control held in Beijing lasted two days and attracted over 800 representatives from 27 countries and regions.

At the sub-forum on smoking and lung cancer, a thoracic surgery expert from China introduced that 80% of lung cancer cases are related to tobacco smoke, thus completely avoiding tobacco smoke is the most effective method for preventing and treating lung cancer.