Say goodbye to smoking emoji on QQ app

QQ, a popular social networking app heavily used by younger people, has removed a smoker emoji from its mobile version to help curtail the smoking habit in China, the world's largest tobacco consumer.

The move was made at the suggestion of the Beijing Tobacco Control Association. Meanwhile, the QQ computer version continues to feature the emoji.

The removed image, which shows a commando with a cigarette in his mouth, is supposed to express leisure and ease. It has been now replaced with another emoji displaying a commando with a green leaf in his mouth.