WHO Representative in China Calls for a Ban on Tobacco Advertising at Retail Outlets

China Economic Net, Beijing, February 3 (Reporter Wu Jiajia) "Recently, I attended a conference in the south, and while waiting in the hotel lobby, I noticed a particularly shiny product display in the hotel shop. I guessed it was jewelry or some rare item, but upon closer inspection, it was cigarettes," said Dr. Gauden Galea, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in China. Tobacco advertising at tobacco retail points, regular stores, and convenience stores has become an increasingly valued marketing form for tobacco companies in China and worldwide. As countries strengthen control over tobacco advertising in other forms such as broadcasting, television, newspapers, and magazines, retail points have become the "last bastion" for tobacco advertising.

Dr. Galea stated that the display and promotion at retail points, like other forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, are promoting death and should be banned. Therefore, the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention") calls for a comprehensive ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.

January 19, 2015, was the deadline for public consultation on the second draft of the Advertising Law (Revised Draft). The tobacco advertising-related provisions in the second draft were seen as achieving the "strictest" level of tobacco control in history, but the draft still left room for tobacco advertising in up to 5 million retail stores in the country.

"The revised law still allows certain forms (including retail points) of tobacco advertising, failing to align with the Convention. If the Advertising Law excludes tobacco advertising at retail points from the ban, it will severely undermine the strict restrictions on other forms of tobacco advertising imposed by the new law," Dr. Galea said. Experience from countries around the world shows that only when all forms of advertising are banned can tobacco use be truly reduced.

Surveys show that 4% of adults in China reported seeing tobacco advertisements in stores in the past 30 days. In contrast, over 40% of young people aged 13-15 noticed tobacco advertising and promotional activities at sales points.

"Young people are particularly vulnerable to tobacco marketing. About one-third of young people who try smoking are influenced by tobacco advertising, promotions, and sponsorship. Most adult smokers began smoking in their youth," Dr. Galea said. The National People's Congress is about to vote on laws to restrict tobacco advertising, which presents a historic opportunity for China to become a global leader in tobacco control and set an example for other countries, sending a signal to the world that promoting death is unacceptable at any time and in any place.