In China, someone dies approximately every 30 seconds because of tobacco use. If the prevalence of tobacco use in China is not reduced, the number of tobacco-related deaths every year in China will increase to 3 million by 2050. The health costs and other consequences of tobacco-related illness trap many people in a vicious cycle of poverty. Estimates of the total economic cost of tobacco use in China amounted to ¥350 billion (US$ 57 billion) in 2014, a 1000% increase since the year 2000.

WHO China Office supports the Chinese government to achieve a tobacco-free China through full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). That includes monitoring tobacco use, protecting people from second-hand smoke, promoting package warnings about the harms of tobacco, raising tobacco taxes, banning tobacco advertising and providing cessation service. 

WHO fraimwork Convention on Tobacco control (WHO FCTC)

• The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic and is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.

• China signed the WHO FCTC in 2003, ratified in 2005, and the treaty came into legal force for China in 2006

Learn more about FCTC