China at the crossroads: the economics of tobacco and health.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse economic aspects of tobacco control policy issues in China.


METHODS
Published and collected survey data were used to analyse economic consequences of smoking. Economic analysis was used to address the role of tobacco farmers and the cigarette industry in the Chinese economy.


RESULTS
In the agricultural sector, tobacco has the lowest economic rate of return of all cash crops. At the same time, the tobacco industry's tax contribution to the central government has been declining.


CONCLUSIONS
Economic gains become less important as the negative health impact of smoking on the population garners more awareness. China stands at a crossroads to implement the economic promises of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and promote the health of its population.
Hu
T-W
TW
University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. thu@berkeley.edu
Mao
Z
Z
Ong
M
M
Tong
E
E
Tao
M
M
Jiang
H
H
Hammond
K
K
Smith
K R
KR
de Beyer
J
J
Yurekli
A
A
D002681:China; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D003906:Developing Countries; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D013660:Taxes; D019460:Tobacco Industry