Chinese ordered to smoke more to boost economy

[Manuel]

Unbelievable!!!

Chinese ordered to smoke more to boost economy
Local government officials in China have been ordered to smoke nearly a quarter of a million packs of cigarettes in a move to boost the local economy during the global financial crisis.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/5271376/Chinese-ordered-to-smoke-more-to-boost-economy.html

[Vince G]

I think it's BS. If it is as true as they make it? Then smokers wouldn't have to SMOKE all of them just BUY the cigarettes.
I think this is just one of the old "Big Bad Horrible China" propaganda. I'm going to search more into this. If this is the only publication of it then it's bull.Well it's like I thought, BS. Only one News publisher had this about the forced smoking. All the Main / large news companies wrote the opposite. they are banning smoking.
The first and forth link all go to the same page.

[shaun]

Come on now, I was planning to give up smoking while I was in China.; :@

Of course that would mean I would have to start at some point now wouldn't it? :icon_cheesygrin:

[Manuel]

Well, my search found another media reproducing the news like Newsweek, The Independent and some more. It seems was a local government of Hubei not the central one:

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2009-05/06/content_7750591.htm

[Vince G]

This one (link) makes more sense.

Local officials defended their decision, saying the directive was misinterpreted.
The original aim, they say, was not to encourage officials to smoke more, but to give more support to the local tobacco industry. The county government can impose duty on sales of cigarettes produced locally.

Like I said they might have had to BUY cigs but didn't have to smoke them.

[maxx]

I buy them by the cartons in China for about 8.00 a carton at the duty free shop in Zhuhai.I have also bought a couple of packs in China that were stamped with a phillipino tax stamp and a Vietnam tax stamp..

The funny thing about buying ciggerettes in China.Is there is a on going black market.I tried to buy a pack of Marlboros in Gz one time.The girl selling them was real nervise.I looked at the pack of Marlboro's there was no tax stamp.No markings on the pack where it came from.SO I didn't buy them.The pack was sealed the seal looked good.But I wasn't to sure there wasn't a cop setting across the street with a camara.So I just walked away.

[JimB]

In Beijing, a carton of marlboro's go for $18 USD.  In the states $39.99.  I dont smoke anymore but my brother in laws do.  I am told that the ones from the states are better. (?) The one thing is that My brother in law who is a Dr. smokes. That i find hard to believe.

[maxx]

JimB the ones from the states are stronger.Unless you get a pack from Vietnam or Phillipinese thoose are really strong

[Rhonald]

Why can't the government BUTT out of people's affairs? :icon_cheesygrin:

[shaun]

Or Ron, empty their own ash tray, or take their ash somewhere else...

[raymond-]

starting with the young....