BEIJING: Northeast China’s Jilin province has launched a quit-smoking competition as part of efforts to promote tobacco control.
The competition is open to smokers aged 18 and above in Jilin who have smoked for more than a year and want to quit. Participants can get guidance from smoking-cessation clinics at medical institutions, and disease control and prevention centers across the province.
Physicians will provide one-on-one whole-journey support, combining psychological intervention and medical assistance to help participants beat tobacco addiction, according to local authorities.
The process consists of an initial consultation, follow-up visits and carbon monoxide testing. Exhaled CO testing will be conducted to verify participants’ smoking-cessation status. Those who remain smoke-free for more than three consecutive months and pass the exhaled CO test will receive an honorary certificate.
The Health Commission of Jilin Province released a registration notice on Sept 1, saying that the campaign aims to popularize knowledge on smoking cessation and reduce the smoking rate among the population. It expects to “guide the public to stay away from tobacco voluntarily, develop healthy lifestyles, foster a smoke-free and health-oriented social atmosphere”, the notice read. Registration for participants ends on Sept 20, with numbers limited. The event has sparked heated discussion among netizens.
Many have called for the activity to be rolled out nationwide. Some others argue that smoking is a personal freedom, and more emphasis should be placed on avoiding smoking in public places rather than quitting smoking altogether. Some netizens also put forward a suggestion: why not launch an alcohol-cessation competition as well?
In recent years, quit-smoking competitions have also been held in multiple cities such as Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Tangshan and Handan in Hebei province.
The national health plan for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) issued on July 13 sets out targets to advance the development of smoke‑free environments, strengthen smoking-cessation services, and reduce the smoking rate among people aged 15 and above to 20 percent. –The Daily Mail-China Daily news exchange item
