China is the world’s largest consumer of cigarettes and tobacco products. Smoking is extremely commonplace, with no one batting an eye when someone lights up in a hospital or school. But all of this smoking has led to a countrywide public health crisis, with diseases related to tobacco consumption on the rise. To combat this growing problem, the Ministry of Education has put it’s foot down and instituted a smoking ban in all schools.
The ban forbids smoking in kindergarten, elementary, and middle schools. For those who truly can’t go without their fix, the schools will set up designated smoking areas. The ban also applies to vocational schools and all academic buildings, ensuring that smoking in schools should be a thing of the past.
Additionally, schools are now forbidden from posting tobacco advertisements on campus, selling cigarettes, or seeking sponsorship from tobacco companies. Previously, schools in smaller, rural areas would seek sponsorship from tobacco companies to supplement the cost of running the school. Tobacco companies would then be able to name the school, such as one school becoming the “Sichuan Tobacco Hope Primary School.” The companies were also allowed to post pro-tobacco slogans throughout the school to encourage the children to smoke. One school was found to bear the message “Genius comes from hard work- tobacco helps you become talented.”
While many are arguing that they should be allowed to enjoy cigarettes wherever they please, the Ministry of Education is staunchly defending the ban. Experts say that the harmful effects of cigarettes aren’t widely known, and many uneducated people support the tobacco companies due to their charitable donations.
Experts estimate that there are over 320 million smokers in China, which leads to a $95 billion tobacco industry. Despite this, the Ministry of Education is hopeful that this ban could help to improve lives in China.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.