Experts say tobacco control program 'smoky'

Experts said Tuesday that a new tobacco control program is not tough enough to address the country's tobacco-related issues.

The program does not include plans to have graphic warnings printed on cigarette packs, one of the most effective ways to persuade smokers to quit, said Wu Yiqun, executive vice director of the anti-smoking advocacy group Thinktank.

"The program smelled smoky," said Wu, implying that the tobacco industry may have had a hand in the creation of the program.

The China Tobacco Control Program (2012-2015) was released on Friday by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

According to the program, authorities plan to expand the size of warning labels on cigarette packs, as well as enlarge their type and highlight some words in color, in order to dissuade smokers. The program does not include plans to put graphic images on the packs, as is done in some countries.

"This means graphic warnings on cigarette packs are unlikely to appear in China before 2016," said Wu.