SMOKING IN CHINA
A STEADY GROWTH RATE

Population:  1.2 billion
Estimated number of smokers:  350 million
Annual cigarette production by China's state monopoly (CNTC):  1.7 trillion
CNTC maintains:  183 factories
150 tobacco drying plants
30 research institutes
And employs:  520,000 workers whoproduce 500 brands

CIGARETTE CONSUMPTION
China's consumption now approaches the levels in West European countries and
may soon surpass the levels in those countries. Death rates from cancer and
other smoking-related causes are also rising.

Average cigarette consumption per person a year in selected countries, 1990-92:
Netherlands                                    2,820
U.S.                                           2,670
Spain                                          2,670
Germany                                        2,360
Britain                                        2,210
France                                         2,120
Portugal                                       2,010
Italy                                          1,920
China                                          1,900

Average annual cigarette use per person in China:
'70-'72                                          730
'80-'82                                        1,290
'90-'92                                        1,900

Estimated deaths from smoking-related causes in China, in millions:
1996                                             0.5
2025*                                            2.0

* Projected
SOURCE: World Health Organization

Originally from Washington Post, Wednesday, November 20 1996; Page A01