Campaign to mark " World No Tobacco Day"

Sunday is the 22nd "World No Tobacco Day". Major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are holding campaigns to encourage smokers to kick the habit.

On Sunday afternoon, China's hundred-million smokers are being called on to stop smoking for one hour. The hour begins at 5:31pm, marking the date of World No Tobacco Day.

As the largest producer of cigarettes in the world, with most consumed domestically, the country aims to contribute one hour without cigarettes to tobacco control.

The campaign also includes quit smoking camps. Smokers are invited to experience methods to break their habit in the camps and receive help to quit smoking from experts.

A smoker said, "I have been smoking for more than 20 years since I was 15. The doctor just evaluated me as having a severe dependence. I think you have to overcome both physical and mental difficulties to give up smoking."

The experts in the camps say strong willpower is not enough for quitters.

Professor Lin Jiangtao, Respiratory Medicine Dept. of China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said, "Smokers with severe dependence should apply comprehensive habit-breaking methods. Besides behavior and psychological therapies, sometimes medical treatment is necessary. The medicine can relieve the symptoms while trying to break their habit, and increase the chance of success."

The experts also say tobacco addiction is not only a bad habit, but a serious chronic disease. Only 3 percent of people who quit smoking can stop for a year and not smoke again without medicine. They suggest that people wishing to quit should go to hospitals for professional instruction and treatment.