Smoking Seems to Be Changing Chinese Culture... Unfortunately, for the Worse
China seems to be about fifty years behind America in its smoking habits, and this isn't necessarily a good thing. The world's most populous nation has increased its cigarette consumption to mirror the habits of American men and women during the fifties. In the 1950s, smoking was glamorous - something people did as part of social networking and enjoyment. There were no warning labels on cigarette packs during the 1950s, and no warning had been issued against them. It wasn't until 1964 that the Surgeon General warning we've all come to know (smoking may be hazardous to your health) was released... but by then, it was too late. Those who were addicted, were addicted.In 1990, however, 33% of American adults, varying in ages from thirty-five to sixty-nine died of tobacco related disease and causes. The addiction craze of the 1950s resulted in this - something that could have, ultimately, been stopped if the information against smoking had presented itself earlier.
Ultimately, this can only mean bad news for the men of China. History is repeating itself - even though the information against smoking, and the staggering numbers are out there. In 2030, it is estimated that 30% of all middle aged Chinese men will die from tobacco related disease and causes... exactly as it happened in America.
Fifty seven percent of men in China (compared to a jaw-dropping three percent of women) over the age of eighteen are heavy smokers. This means that there are 350 million smokers in the world's most populous nation. Take the population of Russia, Germany and Japan, and you have the right number equaling the smokers in China.
The tobacco itself kills about a million people a year there, but the revenue generated by tobacco companies in China is about thirty billion a year. This goes partially to the government, and partially to keeping the poorest provinces of China afloat... this alone is all that does at times.
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