More than 50 scientists joined the prestigious Chinese Academy of Engineering yesterday, with one new member coming in for criticism for his work on low-tar cigarettes.
Professor Xie Jianping, deputy director of China National Tobacco Corporation's Tobacco Research Institute, was one of 54 scientists given the honorary lifetime title of academician yesterday, according to a list on the academy's website.
Xie was recognised for his significant contribution to lowering the amount of tar in cigarettes, leading to the development of many low-tar, mild and light cigarette products in the mainland's state-controlled tobacco industry.
Dr Fang Shimin, a biologist by training and the most influential science critic on the mainland, said yesterday that the Academy's decision to appoint Xie would further mislead the public by giving them incorrect information about the hazards of smoking.
The harmful substances produced by a burning cigarette ranged from tiny particles to sophisticated chemicals, and tar was only one of them, Fang said.
He said Xie's membership of the academy could serve as a big advertisement for the tobacco industry and encourage more to smoke.
