Smoking in China

This article is about smoking in the People's Republic of China including mainland China. For smoking in the Republic of China, see Smoking in Taiwan.

Smoking in China is prevalent, as the People's Republic of China is the world's largest consumer and producer of tobacco. As of 2022, there are around 300 million Chinese smokers, and 2.4 trillion cigarettes are sold there every year, 46% of the world total.[1]

The China National Tobacco Corporation is by sales the largest single manufacturer of tobacco products in the world and boasts a monopoly in mainland China, generating nearly $213 billion revenue in 2022.[1] Within the Chinese guanxi system, tobacco is still a ubiquitous gift acceptable on any occasion, particularly outside urban areas.[2] Tobacco control exists as smoking bans, but public enforcement is rare outside the most largest cities, such as Shanghai and Beijing. Furthermore, outside the largest cities in China, smoking is considered socially acceptable anywhere at any time, even if it is technically illegal.[citation needed] Smoking is a social custom in the PRC, and giving cigarettes at any social interaction is a sign of respect and friendliness.[3]

The Chinese Association on Tobacco Control (中国控制吸烟协会; Zhōngguó kòngzhì xīyān xiéhuì) is engaged in tobacco control by members of the voluntary sector, including academic, social and mass organizations,[4] as strong enforcement of existing tobacco control laws is not supported by the Chinese Government.[5]

  1. ^ a b McLure, James; Chan, Jude; Zou, Manyun; Giesen, Christoph (13 September 2023). "How China became addicted to its tobacco monopoly". The Examination. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  2. ^ Zachary C. Rich, and Shuiyuan Xiao. "Tobacco as a social currency: cigarette gifting and sharing in China." Nicotine & Tobacco Research 14.3 (2012): 258-263.
  3. ^ Leo, Peter (May 3, 2006). "In China, smoking's the big thing". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  4. ^ "Chinese Association on Smoking Control". Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2009-12-25.
  5. ^ Cheng Li (October 2012). "The Political Mapping of China's Tobacco Industry and Anti-Smoking Campaign" (PDF). John L. Thornton China Center Monograph Series (5). Brookings Institution. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2012. ...the tobacco industry is one of the largest sources of tax revenue for the Chinese government. Over the past decade, the tobacco industry has consistently contributed 7-10 percent of total annual central government revenues...