The 15th World Conference on Tobacco or Health is taking place this week in Singapore. Its a major platform for international experts in the field of tobacco control to air their views. Our correspondent Miro Lu talked to Margaret Chan, Director General at the World Health Organization, and asked her how China has been doing in the battle of tobacco control.

Madam Margaret Chan said the world has slightly over 1 billion smokers and 350 million of them are in china. Tobacco control in china has a long way to go, but she thinks it is in the right direction.

Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO, said, "I have to say that the leadership in China understands that they need to take actions and they have and they have over the years to gear up tobacco control measures. During my visit to China in each and every occasion when I meet Premier Wen, I always press upon him on this point. And I was very grateful of the government’s commitment, when they organize the Olympics as well as the Expo to make them tobacco free. Now that is a big step in the right direction."

The 15th World Conference on Tobacco or Health is taking place this week in Singapore. Its a major platform for international experts in the field of tobacco control to air their views.

According to the world health organization, tobacco kills nearly six million people each year. That is more than hiv, tuberculosis and malaria put together.

Compared to the rest of the world, the asia pacific region has the greatest number of smokers, estimated at 662 million; the highest prevalence of smoking among males of as high as 70 percent in some countries; And the fastest increase in smoking by women and young people.

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