China National Tobacco Corp., the world's largest tobacco company, has played a significant role in influencing and obstructing tobacco control measures in China.
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Despite China's commitment to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which includes implementing a national indoor smoking ban, the country has failed to enact such measures.
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China's tobacco monopoly, commonly known as China Tobacco, has used its economic power and political influence to oppose public health efforts and protect its interests.
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Efforts to implement smoking bans at the local level have been met with resistance from China Tobacco, leading to limited progress in curbing smoking rates.
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China's smoking culture is deeply ingrained, particularly among adult men, and social norms play a significant role in perpetuating the habit.
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China Tobacco controls nearly the entire tobacco supply chain and dominates the cigarette market in the country, generating substantial profits for the government.
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Despite the global decline in smoking rates, China remains the largest consumer of cigarettes, with over 2.4 trillion sold annually.
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China's failure to address its smoking epidemic has resulted in a growing health crisis, with millions of smoking-related deaths each year.
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China Tobacco has actively worked to weaken the language and provisions of the WHO tobacco control treaty to protect its interests.
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The influence of China Tobacco continues to hinder progress in tobacco control efforts, and only high-level intervention, potentially by President Xi Jinping, could change the current trajectory.
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