Academy keeps tobacco scientist aboard

A top academy has come under fire after defying public outrage and continuing the membership of a scientist who specializes in refining low-tar cigarettes.

Dubbed the "tobacco academic" by netizens, Xie Jianping came under renewed criticism after his resume appeared on the website of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in a column that introduces outstanding academics.

Xie was elected as a member of the prestigious academy in December 2011.

But his membership has been questioned by anti-smoking activists and health experts. Last year, the academy, one of the most prestigious research bodies in China, said it will review Xie's membership.

Anti-smoking campaigners said Xie was famous for his studies in refining low-tar cigarettes, which are as harmful as regular cigarettes, and said Xie should not be granted membership, which is considered one of China's highest academic honors.

The academy did not comment on Tuesday.

Xie's resume was removed from the website on Tuesday afternoon, but his name remains on the list of members.

"It has been widely recognized that reducing tar in cigarettes cannot reduce harm. Low-tar cigarettes and cigarettes with higher tar content tend to cause different cancers," said Yang Jie, deputy director of the tobacco control office of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Xie's low-tar cigarette research was tested on animals and has never been tested on humans. Hence, it cannot prove low-tar cigarettes cause less harm to people," he said.

Zheng Yuxin, deputy director of the Chinese Society of Toxicology, said low-tar cigarettes misled consumers.

"Xie's index system is misused to make consumers believe low-tar cigarettes are less hazardous, which they are not," Zheng said.

Wu Yiqun, deputy director of the Think Tank Research Center for Health Development, said Xie should be deprived of his academy membership.

"Xie speaks on behalf of the interest of tobacco companies, and this is a violation of scientific ethics," Wu said.