China, a nation of 360 million smokers, plans to ban smoking at all sites for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games — signaling an official determination to address a growing public health crisis.
Source: International Herald Tribune

Share your views.

macs2005

Replying to [macs2005]:I smoke (dont know why) But the thing i liked in China ,, was the way we could relax with a cigaret during and after meals ,, as here we can not smoke in most places ,except in opan air restruants ,, But its the cost of smoking $$$$$$ one pack here is the same as one carton (10 packs) in china and most Of Asia.. but i did notice in the philippines we could not smoke in some streets.. SO good on china for showing the world ...

Replying to [opalcutter]:

And Brazil seems more determined among them all:

Brazil Learns What Works in Antismoking Campaigns: High Taxes and Graphic Photos
Rabiya S. Tuma

The world is slowly learning how to curb smoking, and some countries are showing more success than others. In recent years, Brazil has taken steps that put it at the front of the pack.

Between 1989 and 2001, the fraction of adults who smoke in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's largest city, dropped from 30% to 21%, compared with a drop in the United States from 25.5% in 1990 to 22.8% in 2001. This decline has been fueled by a comprehensive antitobacco campaign, which includes high taxes and graphic images on cigarette packages.

"Although Brazil has a lot of controversial aspects of health care, we have probably one of the best examples of the changing picture in tobacco consumption over the past years," said Gilberto Schwartsmann, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of oncology at the Federal University in Porto Alegre and head of medical oncology at Hospital Mario Kroeff in Rio de Janeiro.

Worldwide, 450 million people are expected to die from smoking-related causes over the next 50 years. Researchers predict that if half of the current adult smokers could be persuaded to quit, 160 million to 180 million of those deaths could be prevented. Measures that have proven effective include higher cigarette taxes, advertising and promotion bans, consumer information, warning labels, and restrictions on public smoking.

"But of these, cigarette taxes are the most important intervention," said Prabhat Jha, M.D., Ph.D., the Canada research chair in health and development public-health sciences at the University of Toronto. "Higher cigarette taxes induce quitting, reduce consumption, and prevent restarting."

Studies suggest that a 10% increase in price would reduce demand by 4% in rich countries and 8% in developing ones, with demand measured in per capita cigarettes purchased. In the United Kingdom, for example, the government raised cigarette prices approximately 35% between 1990 and 1996, and per capita consumption dropped by nearly 20%."

More: http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/99/6/423

Reply to [macs2005]: It is nice, if it can be possible. But it need the motivation, not by force.

KILOIA

Replying to [macs2005]:

I think my dad will be the best person to answer. He was poor but energetic, alert, always on the move and a chain-smoker. Now, he is rich but a prsioner of his own health and his best friends are the cylinders of oxigen and inhaling apparatus.... ALL THANKS TO SMOKING!

Replying to [oldie]:Dear Oldie,
You are going to extreme.
It is no more fashionable to be a smoker.And the media hype has created an atmosphere of degrading and discrimination against smokers.
When such hype was not there, smoking used to be a style statement, within living memory of many members here.Alcohol is equally potent killer, but yet it is not fashionable to talk about its harms.
Sixer

Replying to [macs2005]:I found this on net and feel should be here.
Reasons not to smoke.

Expensive (over $1000 a year for a pack a day)
Bad breath
Stained teeth and hands
Cough/sore throat
Problems breathing
Feeling tired and out of breath
Wrinkles (more, sooner)
Arguments with parents, friends
Cancer risk
Heart disease risk
Gum disease risk
Bad smell in your clothes, hair, skin
Cigarette burns in your car or on your clothes
Risk of secondhand smoke to people around you

Things to do instead of smoking

Chew sugarless gum
Call a friend
Chew sunflower seeds, ground mint leaves or caffeine-free herbal tea leaves
Go to a movie or another place where you can't smoke
Take a walk or work out
Remind yourself why you want to quit

Replying to [macs2005]:

"Bad habits die hard. They can kill. That's why I won't smoke, ever."
said my 10-year old.

Replying to [macs2005]:I believe smoking is a bad habit that we should all try to help those indulging in it from. The goverment is doing it by force but I am sure we can do it with lots of love and concern.

In my opinion, smokers are the new "Modern" parasites of Society.
Nowadays you see people smoking inside Restaurants and Pubs, which I think it should not be allowed in respect of those who don't smoke. I used to be a Smoker, but I finally quit it and am absolutely happy about it.