Number of smokers falls, consumption rises

The number of Chinese smokers has dropped over the past decade, from 32% of those aged 15 and above in 1993, to 26% in 2003, a Health Ministry survey has revealed. However, while fewer people are smoking the number of smokers who smoke heavily has actually increased, as has the overall quantity of cigarettes consumed, the survey found. The survey was conducted between September and October of 2003 and covered 57,000 households.