China Raises Cigarette Tax to 11% as a Way to Deter Smoking in the Country

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that 52.9% of Chinese men smoke cigarette, and this has called for stronger action from Beijing on the issue.

China will more than double the tax on tobacco to 11%, the government announced, as authorities try to deter smoking in the world’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco.

"The cigarette wholesale sector will raise tax from 5% to 11%," a statement on the website of China’s foreign ministry said.

Flavoring Chemicals Used In E-Cigarettes Could Lead To Respiratory Irritants
E-cigarettes contain artificial flavorings similar to those used in food manufacture. But, this safety relates to exposure through eating, and not inhalation.

The increase will come into effect on Sunday, the statement said, without giving reasons behind the move. It was not clear whether it will be passed on to consumers -- the industry absorbed a previous tax raise in 2009.

China has more than 300 million smokers, who consume more than a third of the world’s annual cigarette production.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said 52.9% of Chinese men smoke --- among the highest rates in the world -- and has called for stronger action from Beijing on the issue.

E-Cigarettes Popular With Teens, but Few Who Try Them Become Regular Users
Safety issue of using e-cigarettes was not the focus of the study but it proved that e-cigarettes did not lead to addiction, nor was it a gateway to smoking.

Its representative in China, Bernhard Schwartlaender, this year said that "strong political commitment is needed, along with steely determination, to stare down interference from the vested interests of the tobacco industry".

The industry is a massive contributor to the Chinese state, generating 911 billion Yuan ($146 billion) in taxes and profits in 2014, an increase of 12% year-on-year.

E-Cigarettes Have Become Increasingly Popular Among Canadian Teens in High Schools
In total, more than 2.5 million Canadians have tried e-cigarettes, with smokers and young people making up the largest demographic of ongoing users.

Source-AFP

Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packets is Effective to Discourage Smoking
If labels are understandable and informative, it's more likely that people will worry about consequences of smoking and ultimately, be discouraged from doing it.