China’s Smoking Epidemic and How You Can Protect Yourself

Buck the trend and embrace healthy lungs!

Though its populace constitutes about a fifth of the world’s population, China consumes one third of the world’s cigarettes. The statistics are astounding: over a million people die annually from smoking-related illnesses. This number is set to hit 3.5 million by 2030, according to some reports.

Cigarette culture is deeply entrenched in China. Its citizens are accustomed to being able to smoke anywhere and everywhere, even in elevators, public schools and hospitals. Earlier this year, Business Insider published pictures of a young mother giving a cigarette to her two-year-old son in a public park. While the rest of the world recoiled in horror, China simply shrugged.

The Global Times concluded that government efforts to stem the tide of nicotine dependence and create smoke-free environments have been largely unsuccessful. Though smoking is banned in subways, bars, restaurants and museums, very few Chinese respect this rule, and many have paid a rather brutal price for attempting to enforce the ban. Law enforcement is lax on the smoking ban and, since shopkeepers have no right to impose a fine on patrons who don’t comply, the ban is a bit of a running joke. Methods than have proven most effective in Europe and North America, such as raising taxes and prices on tobacco, have not been addressed by the Chinese government.

Some cities are taking action. In Beijing, a campaign has been instituted to raise awareness about smoking in public areas. The city is teaching “dissuasion skills” to service workers. In Harbin, where the threat is further amplified some of the world’s worst air and water pollution, more drastic measure have been implemented. Harbin recently banned smoking in workplaces, which, though a trifle by North American standards, where smoking in the workplace is rather a throwback to the 1960s, is actually quite radical for China. Consumers can refuse to pay taxi drivers who smoke and, similarly, drivers have the right to evict passengers who smoke. Still, enforcement is tough in Harbin, where winters are cold. The city has a long way to go before reaching its goal - not one single case of a smoker being punished for flouting the law has been recorded.

Adding to these concerns is that air pollution has reached epic proportions. Even the World Health Organisation now classifies outdoor air pollution in China as “carcinogenic to humans.” Cancer is now the number one cause of death in northern China - lung cancer being both the leading and fastest growing type. Air pollution has been definitively shown to cause lung cancer as well as to increase risk of bladder cancer. 

Few studies have been done on the correlation between longevity and air pollution, but the World Bank reported that China suffers about three quarters of a million premature deaths annually due to water and air pollution, a fact that was stricken from reports following alleged pressure from the Chinese government.

Between the air pollution and second or third hand smoke, even non-smoking residents of China are at risk. And yet there’s a lot individuals can do to protect themselves from these rampant carcinogens and maintain healthy lungs.

5 Tips for Healthier Lungs

1. Don’t smoke (anything). This may be obvious, but apparently not in China. Smoking is absolutely the worst thing you can do to your lungs, which are already stressed from poor air quality. This includes pipes and cigars.

2. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to clear mucus and filter the body. Aim to drink at least two quarts per day.

3. Keep the air clean indoors. Air quality in the home is often overlooked, but there’s much we can do to improve it. Buy a good air filtration system and change furnace filters regularly. Carpets are a major source of air pollution in the home - remove them, if possible, or vacuum often. Plants do wonders to clean the air.

4. Eat lots of vitamin C and antioxidant-rich foods. One study showed that eating cruciferous vegetables can reduce risk of lung cancer by half. These high antioxidant veggies include broccoli, kale, bok choy and cabbage, all of which are plentiful in China. Garlic is also an excellent detoxifier.

5. Stand up for clean air. Respect smoking laws, especially in public places. Set an example for others. Organize a non-smoking awareness event or sign a petition. While there’s a lot of smoking in China, more than three-quarters of the population does not smoke. Stand up for your right to clean air.

Though the situation indeed looks bleak, it’s not all bad. The existence of smoking laws is at the very least a step in the right direction. In terms of pollution control, China is also taking measures for the first time in a long time. In September, the government announce plans to cut coal consumption to below 65 percent of China’s total energy use. Construction of new power plants has also been banned in several regions. 

There is life after cigarettes. It must be noted that, in life if not in government, small changes are usually the most long-lasting. So perhaps we should take it as a sign that there is indeed hope China will once again be brimming with beautiful pink lungs...someday.

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