▪ The tobacco epidemic kills nearly 6 million people each year,

of whom

- more than 5 million are users and ex users

- more than 600 000 are nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke

 
▪After high blood pressure, tobacco use is the biggest contributor to the epidemic of noncommunicable diseases — such as heart attack, stroke, cancer and emphysema

▪ Smokers are more susceptible to certain communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and pneumonia

The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international public health treaty developed under the auspices of WHO, effectively protects people from the many harms of tobacco.

The WHO FCTC obliges its Parties to take incremental action against tobacco consumption, marketing and exposure, among many other measures.

Tobacco health warnings

BEIJING, May 31(Xinhuanet) -- The tobacco companies are arguably the world's best at making something lethal appear appealing. The industry has long marketed its deadly products by associating tobacco use with beauty and freedom. Full story

WHO hopes tobacco industry not meddling in China's health policy

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhua) -- China can use its control over the state monopoly to end tobacco industry interference in tobacco control policy-making in a country where more than 1 million people die of smoking-related illness each year, a World Health Organization (WHO) official said.  Full story

Smoking ban ensures air cleaner in China's schools

BEIJING, May 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Schools and kindergartens of China are among the first places where the effects of a national battle to ban indoor smoking in public are being seen, according to a survey conducted by China Daily. Full story

Northeast China city passes law targeting second-hand smoke

HARBIN, May 26 (Xinhua) -- A local law that bans indoor smoking in public places was passed Thursday in Harbin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, becoming the first regulations in China targeting second-hand smoke. Full story

Smoldering start to smoking ban

BEIJING, May 3(Xinhuanet) -- China's indoor smoking ban at public venues, which took effect on Sunday, seems to have failed to ignite action against cigarettes.  Full story

New smoking ban effective in China

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhuanet) -- This year's May Day also marks the advent of a new smoking ban in China. The law will apply to all public indoor spaces -- including restaurants, bars, Internet cafes, and public transport. Full story

New public smoking ban need more specified regulations

BEIJING, May 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Given the high profits of the tobacco industry, how to specify the punishment for smokers in public areas and how to manage the penalties are turning into a hot potato for the departments concerned. And without specified punishment, the new regulation risks remaining on paper. Full story

Chinese smokers not prepared to face hasty smoking ban

BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Marveled by the futurist architecture, Jiang lit up a cigarette as he disembarked a tourist bus in front of the National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA), situated in the heart of Beijing. Full story

WHO urges Asian gov'ts to pass laws against tobacco use

MANILA, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that governments should pass and implement laws that will prevent premature deaths from tobacco-related diseases.  Full story

World No Tobacco Day being observed in Nepal

KATHMANDU, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Tobacco related diseases claim over 15,000 lives every year in Nepal. A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Population showed 37.1 percent of the people in the country are smokers.  Full story

Australia's smoking law faces domestic challenges

The Australian Federal Government's anti-smoking move is likely to be plunged into a tough battle domestically as it has sparkled controversies among smokers and been resisted by tobacco companies. Full story

Internet to lower smoking rates among young people: research

CANBERRA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Social media is a powerful weapon in the fight to lower smoking take-up rates in young people, Australian researchers said Sunday. Full story

Tougher smoking ban takes effect in Los Angeles, U.S.

LOS ANGELES, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A measure banning smoking in outdoor dinning areas throughout U.S. city of Los Angeles took effect on Tuesday, demonstrating the city's resolve to create a healthier environment for its citizens. Full story

Smoking to die out in New Zealand within half a century

WELLINGTON, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Smoking could "virtually disappear" in New Zealand and many other developed countries within half a century, according to research by a major investment bank.  Full story

Canadians look to a healthier future by quitting smoking

VANCOUVER, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Canadians will get a subtle yet graphic message to butt out or face a possible death from lung cancer this week when the country's 34th annual National Non-Smoking Week begins Sunday. Full story

New York City expands smoking ban to parks, beaches

 Dire consequences of smoking

 
Smoking causes 17% of annual deaths in Cuba: expert

HAVANA, May 26 (Xinhua) - Smoking causes 17 percent of annual deaths in Cuba besides heavy economic losses to the state, according to a local expert here Thursday. Full story

Sharing bongs in smoking marijuana links to tuberculosis: Australian researchers

CANBERRA, April 1 (Xinhua) -- People who share bongs to smoke marijuana may be at risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) , Australian medical researchers warned on Friday.  Full story

 • Early pregnancy smoking enhances infant heart defect risks

 • Smoking, obesity cause shorter lifespans in U.S.

 • Smoking causes genetic damage in minutes, rather than months

 • Study: third-hand smoking more harmful than previously thought

 • Teens exposed to cigarette ads more likely to smoke: study

Smoking ban ensures air cleaner in China's schools

Interview: What is most important in the smoking control in campus?

New smoking ban effective in China

New public smoking ban need more specified regulations

China enacts new smoking ban

 Photos

Volunteers rally on "World No Tobacco Day" in India

Indoor smoking ban in public venues comes into effect on May 1

500 restaurant owners protest anti-smoking law in public areas in Brussels

Secondhand smoke levels up

Net cafes worst offenders undersmoking ban

Spain bans smoking in public areas