China became a Party to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on January 9, 2006.
Smoke Free Places: Smoking is completely prohibited in at least 28 indoor public places, including medical facilities, restaurants, bars, and most public transportation. Designated smoking areas are permitted in other specified places, such as long-distance transport. Sub-national jurisdictions have the authority to implement local smoke free policies.
Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship: Tobacco advertising is prohibited in mass media, public places, means of public transport, and outdoors. Other forms of tobacco advertising are permitted, including through sponsored events and organizations, promotional discounts, and retailer incentive programs.
Tobacco Packaging and Labeling: Required warnings are text-only, use small type, and must cover no less than 35 percent of the front and back surfaces of cigarette packaging. Misleading terms such as "light" and "low tar" are prohibited on tobacco packaging, but other misleading packaging (e.g., colors, number, and symbols) is not prohibited.
Tobacco Taxation and Prices: The World Health Organization recommends raising tobacco excise taxes so that they account for at least 70 percent of retail prices. Tobacco excise taxes in China are well below these recommendations.
| SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENTS COMPLETE SMOKING BAN | |
|---|---|
|
Health-care facilities
Yes
|
Private offices
No
|
|
Primary and secondary schools
Yes
|
Public transport
No
|
|
Universities
No
|
Restaurants
Yes
|
|
Governmental facilities
No
|
Bars and Pubs
Yes
|
|
Can subnational jurisdictions enact more stringent smoking restrictions?
Yes
|
|
| BANS ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND SPONSORSHIP | |
|---|---|
|
Domestic TV and radio
Yes
|
Promotional discounts
No
|
|
Domestic magazines and newspapers
Yes
|
Non-tobacco products or services with tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Outdoor advertising
Yes
|
Tobacco products with non-tobacco brand names
Yes
|
|
Point-of-sale advertising
Yes
|
Paid placement in media
Yes
|
|
Retail product display
Uncertain
|
Financial sponsorship, including corporate social responsibility
Yes
|
|
Internet advertising
Yes
|
Publicity of sponsorships
Yes
|
|
Free distribution
Uncertain
|
|
| HEALTH WARNINGS ON SMOKED TOBACCO PRODUCTS | |
|---|---|
|
Text warnings describe health impacts
Yes
|
Number of published warnings at any given time
3
|
|
Warnings include a picture or graphic
No
|
Warnings required to rotate
Required
|
|
% of principal display areas covered (front and back)
35%
|
Warnings are written in the principal language(s)
Yes
|
|
Front
35%
|
Ban on misleading packaging and labeling
Yes
|
|
Back
35%
|
Health warnings on smokeless tobacco products
No
|
| TOBACCO TAXATION AND PRICE | |
|---|---|
| PRICE OF MOST SOLD BRAND, PACK OF 20 CIGARETTES | TAXES ON MOST SOLD BRAND (% OF RETAIL PRICE) |
|
In country currency
16.34
CNY
|
Total taxes
52%
|
|
In US dollars
2.43
USD
|
Total excise
34%
|
Sources:
SF, APS, PL: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Legal Website. Available at: www.tobaccocontrollaws.org
Tax: WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2023. Available at: www.who.int/teams/health-promotion/tobacco-control/global-tobacco-report-2023
Last updated: December 20, 2022