Public awareness
In order to enhance the public's consciousness of tobacco control and promote a smoking-free Olympics, the municipal government joined with the media and other organizations to launch a range of educational and promotional activities.
From April to June in 2008, a total of 165 reports on smoking control appeared in the news media.
Posters to promote tobacco control were placed in many communities in Beijing.
Letters were mailed to 2.2 million people, messages sent to 3 million mobile phone users and posters on tobacco control were placed at 310 bus and subway stations.
The Beijing Health Bureau has also strengthened cooperation with WHO and other international organizations to enhance the tobacco control task in the city. Successful programs used in developed countries have been applied in Beijing.
The bureau said fighting smoking is a long-term and complicated task that requires participation from all sectors of society.
While Beijing has made some progress and met the primary aim of a smoking-free Olympics, creating a 100 percent smoke-free indoor environment has a long way to go and further endeavors are required.
Building on existing achievements, Beijing's health bureau said it will continue its promotional efforts and enhance international cooperation.
(China Daily August 22,2008)