China Struggles to Kick World-leading Cigarette Habit
Several brands of Philip Morris cigarettes are displayed for a photograph in Tiskilwa, Illinois, U.S., on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Philip Morris International is scheduled to release 2012 first quarter earnings on Thursday, April 19.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Beijing (AP) -- Most smokers in China, the world's largest tobacco consumer, have no intention of kicking the habit and remain unaware of some of its most damaging health effects, Chinese health officials and outside researchers said Wednesday.
An estimated 316 million people smoke in China, almost a quarter of the population, and concerns are growing about the long-term effects on public health and the economy.