China bans government officials from smoking

[Redfairen]

Source: PBS

The Chinese government has banned its officials from smoking in public as part of an effort to limit smoking throughout the country. China has the largest number of smokers in the world.

"Smoking by some party officials not only endangers public health, but also damages the image of the party and the government," stated the ban issued Sunday. Government officials are banned from smoking in public areas including in schools and on public transportation. Officials are also forbidden from posting tobacco advertisements and selling tobacco products in government offices.

The New York Times' Mia Li reported that the ban is also being portrayed as an effort to reduce government corruption.

"Many have the experience of bribing officials with cigarettes to get things done," according to Xinhua, a state sponsored news agency. "Many low-level party members have the experience of keeping officials company when they smoke. A clean government starts with an air-fresh government office."



Read more: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/12/china-bans-government-officials-from-smoking.html

[warrant46]

1. They'll have to get by

Breathing the air

[christx30]

3. Your comment reminded me of

Moe from the Simpsons, "If you guys are getting high off those fumes, I'm gonna have to charge ya."

[warrant46]

4. LOL--- Lots of Tobacco use in China

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_in_China

Smoking in China is prevalent, as China is the world's largest consumer and producer of tobacco: there are 350 million Chinese smokers

Nearly 60% of male Chinese doctors are smokers, which is the highest proportion in the world. China does not have laws to punish health care facilities, medical workers and health officials who violate smoking bans, and is instead relying on the Chinese media to act as a watchdog.

[valerief]

2. Orangeman just fainted! nt

[SoapBox]

5. ROFL