Call for ban on tobacco treats
11/3/2008 11:33
China's government employees should be banned from offering and receiving
cigarettes on social occasions as a first step toward the country's goal to
minimize the harm of tobacco on people's health.
"Government departments
and their employees are responsible for taking the lead in China's tobacco
control," said Yan Aoshuang, a deputy to the 11th National People's Congress
from Beijing.
Yan said government employees should not be allowed to
accept cigarettes for free or at discounted prices from tobacco
companies.
"As well, all government offices should ban smoking in the
workplace to ensure a smoke-free environment," she said on the sidelines of the
annual parliamentary session.
Yan said the State Administration of Radio,
Film and Television and Ministry of Culture should draft regulations to ban
disguised tobacco advertising and scenes of smoking in films or TV
plays.
"Film producers and cinemas should play anti-smoking adverts
during intervals, and all TV stations should air these commercials for free at
prime time," she said.
Shao Yiming, a specialist on the prevention of
AIDS and venereal diseases, has proposed there should be non-smoking areas at
all Chinese hotels, restaurants and other public facilities.
China should
also impose higher taxes on tobacco and encourage insurance companies to offer
policies to help smokers give up the deadly habit, according to
Shao.
Xinhua
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