2017年-数据局_世界卫生组织：2017中国无法支付的账单_56页_2mb

Summary of "The Bill China Cannot Afford"

Core Content

This report, authored by Angela Pratt (WHO) and Andrea Pastorelli (UNDP), with support from Trinette Lee and contributions from various experts, highlights the immense health, economic, and social costs of China's tobacco epidemic. It emphasizes that these costs are unsustainable and that stronger tobacco control policies are essential to align with national and international development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Healthy China Plan 2030.

Main Points

China's Tobacco Situation

• China is the world's largest producer, consumer, and manufacturer of tobacco.
• In 2014, 44% of the world's cigarettes were consumed in China, more than the next 29 countries combined.
• There were approximately 315 million smokers in China in 2015, representing 28% of the adult population and over half of all men.
• The average smoker in China consumes 22 cigarettes per day, a 50% increase since 1980.
• Smoking is a major driver of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) epidemic in China, which already account for 87% of all deaths and 70% of the total disease burden.
• Over one million people die annually in China from tobacco-related illnesses, with the number expected to rise to 2 million by 2030 and 3 million by 2050 if smoking rates are not reduced.

Health Impact

• At least half of all smokers in China are expected to die from tobacco-related illnesses.
• 700 million people in China are exposed to second-hand smoke regularly, with over half of young people aged 13–15 exposed weekly.
• 100,000 people die each year from second-hand smoke exposure.

Economic Costs

• In 2014, the direct cost of treating tobacco-related illness in China was approximately ¥53 billion (US$9 billion).
• The indirect costs, such as lost productivity, were five times higher, totaling around ¥297 billion (US$48 billion).
• The total economic cost of tobacco use in 2014 was ¥350 billion (US$57 billion), equivalent to 0.55% of China's GDP.
• This represents a 1000% increase in economic costs since 2000, driven by rising healthcare expenditure and increased prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses.
• Tobacco-related illness is a major cause of poverty, particularly among low-income families.

Social Costs

• Tobacco use exacerbates inequality, as it disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable.
• Smoking-related illnesses can plunge families into poverty, especially when the primary income earner dies prematurely.
• The cost of treatment for diseases like cancer and heart disease is catastrophic for poor families, often leading to financial ruin.

Key Recommendations

• A comprehensive national smoke-free law should be implemented, covering all public places.
• Tobacco taxes should be significantly increased and future hikes should be made permanent to reduce affordability.
• A comprehensive package of demand-reduction measures should be adopted within two years, including:
  • A ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
  • Mass media campaigns on the dangers of tobacco use.
  • Graphic health warnings on at least 50% of tobacco packages.
  • Expansion of support for quitting smoking.
• Eliminate tobacco industry interference in policymaking, in line with WHO FCTC.
• Establish a new body under the State Council to oversee the implementation of WHO FCTC and tobacco control policies, with the National Health and Family Planning Commission as the lead ministry.

Policy Path and Benefits

• Implementing strong tobacco control policies would reduce health and economic impacts, improve equity, and support sustainable development.
• A 50% increase in cigarette prices could increase government revenue by US$66 billion annually, prevent 20 million premature deaths over 50 years, and save 8 million people from poverty.
• These policies would also reduce the burden on health systems and increase productivity, aligning with the Healthy China vision and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Conclusion

• Tobacco use is hurting China's health, economy, and society, and is a major obstacle to achieving the SDGs.
• The China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), the largest tobacco company in the world, is a major contributor to the national economy, but its profit from a deadly product is incompatible with the vision of a Healthy China.
• Tobacco control is not only pro-health, but also pro-poor and pro-economic growth.
• China cannot afford the costs of its tobacco epidemic and must accelerate stronger tobacco control measures to achieve its development goals.

Key Statistics

• 315 million smokers in China (2015).
• 44% of global cigarette consumption in China (2014).
• 1 million deaths annually from tobacco use.
• ¥350 billion (US$57 billion) in total economic costs in 2014.
• 1000% increase in economic costs since 2000.
• 8 million people saved from poverty with a 50% price increase.
• 20 million lives saved over 50 years with a 50% price increase.

Call to Action

• The report urges immediate and comprehensive action to implement WHO FCTC measures.
• It stresses the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration and policy enforcement.
• The vision of a Healthy China and poverty eradication can only be achieved by scaling up tobacco control.