High time to stub out tobacco across the country

As thousands of delegates converge on Beijing for the annual meetings of China's National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee this week, health is likely to feature prominently in the discussions. There are few issues that are more important to the national political agenda than the health of China's 1.36 billion people. Without health, nothing else matters.

Good health is important for individuals to live long and happy lives. This is a goal which every society aspires to for all of its citizens. Good health also means a productive workforce and a strong economy. A healthy economy is a strong economy.

This year, we hope to see NPC and CPPCC National Committee members tackle the need to break China's deadly addiction to tobacco.