WHO honors China's health minister for tobacco control efforts

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday gave an award to Chinese Minister of Health Chen Zhu for his commitment to tobacco control in China.

During a ceremony held Wednesday, Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, awarded Chen with a Director-General's Special Recognition Certificate, hailing the minister's achievements in curbing tobacco use in China, and his contribution to the global movement of reducing death and diseases caused by tobacco.

Tobacco use is a leading preventable cause of death both in China and in the world. It kills nearly 6 million people worldwide each year, including more than 600,000 who die from exposure to second-hand smoke.

Every year in China, about 1 million people die from tobacco-related heart attacks, strokes, cancer, lung ailments or other diseases.

"As the world's largest tobacco-producing and -consuming country, China faces a number of challenges in tobacco control," Chen said at the ceremony. "But the Health Ministry will continue to unite all forces to strive for the fulfillment of the tobacco-control commitment," he said.

Since China signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and ratified it in 2005, considerable efforts have been made to achieve smoke-free public places.

The Ministry of Health issued regulations last year banning smoking in all enclosed public locations including hotels, restaurants and theaters.

It also has pushed for tobacco control legislation, which China's top legislature said is under active preparation.

In May, the ministry released the country's first official report, which outlines the hazards of tobacco use.

The central government has also promised smoke-free public spaces by including a public smoking ban in its 12th Five-year Plan (2011-2015).

The WHO recognizes individuals or organizations annually in each of the six WHO regions for their accomplishments in tobacco control. The prime minister of Kazakhstan and an official from Brazil were also honored with the award this year.