A media report has said that China has not been able to put down its brakes on smoking because a majority of doctors - 60 percent - themselves can't say no to the habit.

Even though China's ministry of health banned smoking in medical institutions in May 2009 and ordered that all health administrations and at least half of all health institutions should be smoke-free by 2010, medical staff are still violating the law.

Li Xinhua, in charge of tobacco-control publicity and education with the ministry of health, was quoted as saying by Global Times Monday, "About 60 percent of medical workers and professors are smokers. Some of them even smoke boldly in hospitals or schools."

He also said that a stop-smoking campaign is now a top priority goal for the country's anti-tobacco efforts.

He said, "Doctors and medical teachers should behave themselves and set a good example for others in tobacco control."

Some medical staff members continue smoking "out of apparent disregard" for evidence that smoking can cause cancer, Li said.

According to Li, China has the world's highest population of smokers, and ranks first in tobacco output and sales.

The report said that according to a ministry report on smoking in China, more than one million people die annually from diseases caused by smoking. The annual death toll will increase to two million in 2020, and three million in 2050.

Li also said that in 2005, the nation produced 1.8 trillion cigarettes and by the end of 2008, the number exceeded 2.2 trillion. Production may be higher in 2009. (With Inputs from Agencies)
(With Inputs from Agencies)