Rules must not go up in smoke

Past tobacco-control experiences in China indicate a well-made rule will only become beautiful empty talk if it is not effectively implemented. The government should, first of all, get rid of its dependence on the revenue from the State-owned tobacco industry. And the government must not spend public money buying cigarettes for officials. Only after the authority takes seriously its responsibility as a tobacco controller will the ban on smoking in public places be upheld in society.

Dahe Daily, Nov 25

Many local tobacco-control rules have become "paper tigers", because most of them were written in vague terms. In these failed rules, the setting of rights and relevant obligations does not fit China's current practical national conditions, and the legislation is blurred when it comes to the implementation and the consequences of violating the regulations. The first national tobacco control rule should solve these problems.