Public feedback favors tighter smoking controls

No-smoking areas and the costs of smoking cessation are the hottest issues around tobacco use and basic medical insurance, according to a report on changes to the Tobacco Control Act released in Beijing on May 24.

The Act, drafted by a research center on health legislation under China University of Political Science and Law, was open to public opinions from March 27 to April 30 this year.

The Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People's Congress received 762 suggestions through the Internet, mail and telephone.

According to the report, 26 percent of the suggestions were about areas where smoking should be controlled.

People in favor of expanding no-smoking areas suggest that people in public areas such as sidewalks, busy commercial streets, fitness areas and nursing homes for the elderly should be banned from smoking.

Meanwhile, people who held the opposite opinion argued that smoking areas should be set up instead of banning smoking absolutely.

In addition, most people felt that any fees involved in quitting smoking should be covered by basic medical insurance.

This would encourage smokers to quit and ease the pressure on law enforcement, it was believed.

Medicine and services to quit smoking cost about 500 yuan ($79) a month on average, according to a report on May 25 by the Legal Mirror, a Beijing-based newspaper.