Revise Tobacco Control Program

We read with excitement the Tobacco Control Program (2012-15), published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and seven other government ministries and departments in December last year. As the first tobacco control master plan for the entire country, it shows how committed the highest authorities are to addressing the endemic problem of tobacco use in China. It is a step in the right direction, and sets the tone and pace for tobacco control in the country.

Because it is such an important document, there is need to ensure that the objective of controlling tobacco can be achieved. As academics who have been involved in tobacco control research in China and other countries for over two decades, we would like to offer two perspectives which, in our opinion, are critical to the success of a tobacco control program in the country.