Could WHO Guidelines Prevent 13 Million Smoking Deaths in China?

As China continues to be one of the largest manufacturers of tobacco products, a recent study shows how adopting smoking regulations recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could potentially prevent as many as 13 million smoking-related deaths by 2050.

According to lead author David Levy from the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in Washington, they used computer modeling to determine the possible health benefits of getting smokers to quit. The United Nationals provided data regarding fertility and mortality rates with regards tobacco use.

Researchers examined China policies and agreed to implement them as the nation joined WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) back in 2003.

Estimates showed that if current policies were changed as many as 13 million tobacco-related deaths could be prevented. However, if not, they could see 50 million smoking deaths from 2012 to 2050.

"The consequences of inaction are considerable," the authors said, via a press release. "Without the implementation of the complete set of stronger policies, the death and disability legacy of current smoking will endure for decades in China."

Some of the policies that could implement such changes would include higher taxes on tobacco products, smoke-free areas, treatment for tobacco dependence, bans on various advertisements involving the drug and health warnings. Though the country has already taken some steps to ban certain issues, including increase tobacco taxes for producers and wholesalers, as well as enforce a smoking ban on public transport, etc., officials believe more bans need to be implemented to help out the situation more.

"Implementation of FCTC policies would alleviate a substantial portion of the tobacco-related health burden that threatens to slow China's extraordinary gains in life expectancy and prosperity," they said, via the release. 

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More information regarding the study can be found via the British Medical Journal.