Chinese health agency pledges smoking ban by year's end

Mainland health authorities aim to roll out a nationwide smoking ban in public places by year's end, setting for the first time a target date to meet its commitment to cut down on indoor tobacco use.

National Health and Family Planning Commission spokesman Mao Qunan said the agency was working on the regulation with the State Council. A ban has been on the agenda of China's cabinet since last year.

Mao said the commission was also "actively trying to have the National People's Congress to pass a law to contain the harm of tobacco use".

The announcement represents the closest that Beijing has come to a timetable for meeting its pledge to create a smoke-free indoor environment under the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. China ratified the convention in 2005, but missed the deadline to honour it by 2011.

National legislation enacting a ban on smoking in public places has been seen as the most effective way for the government to fulfil its commitment, but so far action has been limited to several cities.

In 2011, the National People's Congress approved a five-year plan that pledged to ban smoking in all indoor work places, indoor public spaces and public transport by 2015 - a huge move for the country with the world's largest population of smokers.