China ratifies World Health Organization tobacco treaty News
China ratifies World Health Organization tobacco treaty

[JURIST] China's Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) [official website] has ratified the international World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control [official website], created earlier this year [JURIST report] as the first international legal means to lessen tobacco-related deaths and diseases. The treaty [text, PDF] creates a national regulation in China banning tobacco vending machines; prohibits radio, television, internet, and print advertising of tobacco products within a five-year period; and requires all tobacco sellers to include clear information regarding their mandated policy to refuse selling tobacco products to minors. China has the world's largest cigarette market, selling almost 1,800 billion cigarettes in 2003. From Beijing, Xinhuanet has local coverage.