Too much drinking and smoking, and too little exercise are behind nearly half of all high-fatality disease cases in China, Xinhua News Agency said.

Unhealthy life choices, which also include stress and a poor diet, are seen as the cause of 44 percent of all instances of heart disease, cancer and respiratory disease, the Xinhua reported.

The figure is based on a new survey conducted by local experts on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, according to the agency.

In the most developed parts of China, this is no longer a problem that affects just a tiny minority, according to the report.

One-third of all residents in Beijing suffer from unhealthy lifestyle diseases, according to the survey.

It cited World Health Organization figures that say 70 to 80 percent of deaths in the rich countries from heart disease, cancer and similar ailments are caused by unhealthy lifestyles.

(China Daily May 30, 2005)