China says Communist Party leaders must not smoke in public, help colleagues quit

Communist Party officials must not smoke in public places or buy cigarettes using public funds, and should encourage their colleagues to quit smoking, a top Chinese government body said in a circular on Sunday evening. "The phenomenon of smoking in public places remains prevalent, especially for a small number of leading cadres, who not only endanger the public health and environment, but also harm the image of the Communist Party and the government," says the circular issued by the State Council, China's cabinet. Party cadres must not buy tobacco using public funds, and those who break rules on cigarettes should be "criticized and educated about their evil influence," the circular says. Communist Party cadres should to "take the lead" in kicking their smoking habits to set an example for the public and party bosses should encourage colleagues to quit smoking, it said.

via Health News Headlines - Yahoo News http://news.yahoo.com/china-says-communist-party-leaders-must-not-smoke-060822335.html