Tighter Smoking Controls: Nantong Fully Bans Smoking in Indoor Public Places, Including E-cigarettes

On May 31, this year, the 36th World No Tobacco Day was observed, with the theme "Smoke-Free for Growth Protection." To promote smoking control education in Nantong City and comprehensively advance smoking control efforts, the Nantong Health Commission held a "World No Tobacco Day" promotional event, along with related lectures and knowledge competitions at the Municipal Maternal and Child Health Hospital on May 31.

Smoking is one of the most serious public health issues today. Prospective cohort studies conducted in China indicate that there are currently 1 million deaths annually due to tobacco-related diseases. If smoking is not effectively controlled, it is projected that 100 million people will die from tobacco-related diseases between now and 2050, with half of those deaths occurring in middle age (35-60 years). There is substantial evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer, with the probability of lung cancer increasing by 30% for those exposed to secondhand smoke. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death and disability globally, and smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are the primary preventable factors for these diseases.

"Smoking significantly increases the incidence of breast cancer, posing greater harm to women. Passive smoking can lead to sudden infant death syndrome, with studies showing that the incidence among passive smokers is 3.5 times higher than that of non-passive smokers," said Fan Jianmin, director of the Occupational Disease Prevention Department at Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital. This year, the number of patients visiting the hospital's smoking cessation clinic has noticeably increased, especially after understanding the harm to pregnant women and children, leading many to begin smoking cessation efforts. Additionally, some university students have also joined the ranks of those quitting smoking.

"Have you noticed that the no smoking sign now has two cigarettes? Previously, it only had one, but now it includes a e-cigarette, as smoking e-cigarettes is also prohibited in indoor public places in Nantong City," said Wang Hui, deputy director of the Public Places (Patriotic Health) Supervision Department of the Nantong Health Supervision Institute, who explained the hazards of e-cigarettes on-site. He stated that the corresponding smoking control measures in major medical institutions are currently well implemented, and public places should set up no smoking signs and warnings, establish smoking control management systems, and equip smoking cessation counselors, while also providing training on smoking control knowledge for personnel within these venues. Furthermore, a combination of special inspections and regular guidance will be adopted, focusing on the establishment of smoking control systems in medical institutions, smoking control signage, prohibition of tobacco product sales, smoking cessation counselors, and enriching promotional forms to promote the institutionalization, standardization, and normalization of smoking control efforts.

"Smoking bans are a consensus of the entire society," said Wang Xiadong, director of the Health Promotion Department of the Nantong Health Commission. Currently, Nantong requires a smoking ban in all indoor and public places, and while promoting and implementing this in major medical institutions and hospitals, it also calls on citizens to create a smoke-free environment, control smoking for their own health and that of others, and contribute to creating a green, environmentally friendly, and healthy living environment.

At the event, Fan Jianmin conducted a popular science lecture on "The Hazards of Smoking and Common Smoking Cessation Methods," and during the interactive segment of the smoking ban knowledge competition, participants eagerly raised their hands to answer questions, achieving a 100% correct response rate.

Reported by Qian Jiayi, Xinhua Daily · Intersection Point