China mulls more strict tobacco control

China is mulling a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion of tobacco products, according to a draft regulation on Monday.

The draft published on the legislative affairs office of the State Council website, pending public consultation, also includes plans to ban certain smoking scenes in films and TV shows.

The draft bans smoking in all kinds of indoor public places and outdoor living space in kindergartens, schools, colleges, women and children's hospitals as well as in fitness venues. Smoking in outdoor space is only allowed in designated smoking areas.

The draft also prohibits selling cigarettes to minors through vending machines.

As the world's largest tobacco maker and consumer, China has more than 300 million smokers and another 740 million people exposed to second-hand smoke each year.

In 2003, China signed the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. It requires signatories to "comprehensively ban all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship", but still does not have a specific law regulating smoking in public places.