Beijing stubs out state buying of cigarettes

The Beijing government plans to establish new rules forbidding cigarettes from being purchased with public money, Reuters reported, citing state media on Friday. The new measure would ban cigarettes that are given as gifts or provided at official functions. As a ubiquitous part of social life, smoking is seen at all levels of government. Cartons of cigarettes are often handed out as gifts at official events. This move comes after Chinese health officials said in January they would push for tougher regulation of and legislation on tobacco use. State media did not say when the new rules may go into effect.