Most Chinese Colleges Fail in Tobacco Control

Institutions of higher education have a long way to go to make their campuses smoke-free, as the latest report shows 98 percent of them have failed in tobacco control.

According to a report from the Chinese Association on Tobacco Control (CATC), only 16 out of 800 colleges and universities surveyed over six months have passed the association's assessment and have been qualified as smoke-free campuses.

Among them, Tongji University in Shanghai and Huaiyin Normal School in Jiangsu shared first place with a score of 72, slightly higher than the passing grade of 60, according to the report released on Tuesday.

The survey also shows that only 4.2 percent have carried out publicity work on tobacco control on their campuses, while cigarette butts were found on 73 percent of the surveyed, especially in male dormitories.

Xu Guihua, executive vice president of CATC, said results of the survey reveal a severe situation.

"Feasible plans and practical measures on tobacco control are in dire need to turn the country's campuses smoke-free," Xu said.

(Source: Xinhua)