China steps up tobacco control efforts

BEIJING - The National Health and Family Planning Commission is stepping up its efforts to research a draft law on tobacco control, said spokesman Yao Hongwen at a press conference on Friday.

Yao said the commission has completed a first draft of the law and regulation.

The commission expects to speed up the procedure by soliciting opinions from ministries and provinces, as China's Cabinet, has included tobacco control into its legislature plan.

Relevant organs and legislature offices are also gathering public opinions on tobacco packaging, advertisement and warnings.

"We hope the revised advertisement law will be conducive to controlling smoking and maintaining public health," Yao added.