Active and Passive Smoking, Chronic Disease and Poverty in China

The globalization of the tobacco industry is a major threat to public health worldwide. At present, smoking rates in China are very high among men (63%) and low among women (4%). But with the arrival of multinational tobacco companies and western marketing practices these rates are likely to increase, particularly among women and young people. The impending burden of tobacco-related chronic disease will be significant in a population of 1.3 billion. This underscores the urgent need for research to guide the development of effective tobacco control interventions. Using data from the Chinese National Household Survey, researchers will examine the relationships between smoking, poverty, ill health and health service use, and quantify the impact of smoking in terms of a wide range of outcomes. The results of the study will not only provide detailed information on current trends in smoking in China, but also an evidence base to help Chinese policymakers develop tobacco control policies and programs consistent with the provisions of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ratified by 114 countries including China.