[originaltext] China, the world’s largest consumer and producer of tobacco,

China, the world’s largest consumer and producer of tobacco, has agreed an international treaty aimed at reducing tobacco-related diseases and deaths.  The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) was ratified recently by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
    Dr. Shigeru Omi, WHO regional Director for the Western Pacific, welcomed the announcement and congratulated China on what he called a landmark decision. "This is perhaps the clearest indication yet that the world is increasingly devoted to addressing the global tobacco diseases, he said, "Agreement of the FCTC by China could not have come at a better time."
    Dr. Hank Bekedam, the WHO representative in China, said: "This allows China to truly join global and regional efforts to reduce smoking. Many lives will be saved, public health will be strengthened, and the economy will benefit as well."
    The Chinese Government estimates that there are 350 million smokers in the country. About 60 per cent of Chinese men and 3 per cent of women smoke. It al~ appears that the number of children and young female smokers may be increasing significantly at present.
    Tobacco kills 1.2 million Chinese each year. In the nfid-1990s, tobacco use cost the government US $ 6.5 billion annually in health-care costs alone.
    More than 75 countries have now agreed with the treaty, including other major tobacco-manufacturing countries such as India and Japan. The convention became international law in February 2005 ,after the required ratification by 40 countries.