World Health Organization Urges China to Fully Ban Tobacco Advertising

According to a report from the United Nations News, on October 9, 2014, the WHO representative in China, Dr. Bernhard Schwartländer, pointed out in Beijing that the WHO is pleased to see China further tighten its existing tobacco advertising ban, while urging the National People's Congress to consider further amendments to the "Advertising Law" to "achieve a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship as stipulated in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (the Convention)."

  On the same day, the WHO representative office in China held a media briefing in Beijing, calling for the upcoming second review of the "Advertising Law (Draft Amendment)" to comprehensively ban tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.   In the 2010 WHO Global Tobacco Epidemic Report covering 195 countries, 66% of countries (including China) have only some form of ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, and China's compliance with the ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship is only "moderate."   Dr. Schwartländer stated that tobacco causes nearly 6 million deaths each year, including 1 million in China, which is equivalent to one Chinese person dying every 30 seconds. In addition to harming public health, smoking also brings huge economic losses. Due to illness and deaths during peak productivity periods, it harms China's workforce.   "Experiences from other countries have shown that a zero-tolerance approach is effective," Dr. Schwartländer pointed out. The legislative review process is at a critical moment, and regardless of the pressure faced, this is an opportunity for Chinese legislators to take actions that are most beneficial to the country. Any flaws in the legislation to comprehensively ban tobacco advertising will prevent China from fulfilling its obligations under the Convention, which fully aligns with China's own policy goals of reducing tobacco use.   Dr. Schwartländer emphasized that an incomplete ban will not achieve the desired effect of tobacco control, and a comprehensive ban on tobacco advertising is crucial for protecting the health of the Chinese people, especially the youth.