China bans smoking in films

Almaty. February 15. Kazakhstan Today - The Chinese authorities have banned smoking scenes in movies and television shows to discourage smoking among the general public, Kazakhstan Today reports.

China is ordering makers of films and TV shows to limit the amount of smoking depicted on-screen, the latest effort to curb rampant tobacco use in the country with the largest number of smokers in the world, The Associated Press reported.

The order from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television viewed Tuesday on its website orders producers to minimize plot lines and scenes involving tobacco and show smoking only when necessary for artistic purposes or character development.

Minors under age 18 cannot be shown smoking or buying cigarettes, and characters may not smoke in public buildings or other places where smoking is banned.

Where possible, actors and directors are encouraged to leave smoking out of their productions, the circular said, adding images of smoking in movies and television shows were out of sync with government efforts to control tobacco use.

China has been tightening up restrictions on smoking over the past decade, banning tobacco advertising and sponsorships of major sporting events

Last month, Chinese and foreign medical experts issued a joint report warning that smoking deaths in the world's most populous country could triple by 2030, WantChinaTimes informed.

The report said more than 3.5 million Chinese could die from smoking-related illnesses every year by 2030 compared with 1.2 million in 2005, if strong steps were not taken.

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