On January 7th, the State Council Information Office held a press conference where Yao Hongwen, the Deputy Director and spokesman for the Publicity Department of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, described the situation on the smoking ban. He said that the departments under the National Health and Family Planning Commission will actively carry out legislative research for a nationwide smoking ban while promoting legislation for tobacco control.

Yao Hongwen pointed out that China is the world's largest producer and consumer of tobacco. Moreover, it is one of the countries that is most affected by the dangers of tobacco. The number of smokers nationwide amount to more than 300 million with 28.1% making up smokers above the age of 15. In addition, 740 million non-smokers suffer from the effects of secondhand smoke. As tobacco consumption bring serious diseases, more than 100 million people die every year due to smoking-related diseases. Approximately 100,000 people die from diseases related to exposure of secondhand smoke.

Yao Hongwen stated that on December 29, 2013, the offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council jointly issued the "Notice for Leaders and Cadres to Set an Example on Related Matters Concerning Smoking in Public Places" (Note: the term “cadre” refers to a public official holding a responsible or managerial position in China). In line with the notice, the departments under the National Health and Family Planning Commission will focus on the following tasks: increase efforts in promoting campaigns for tobacco control and health education; execute public service announcements related to tobacco control; fully integrate the creation of a smoke-free environment as advocated by the National Health and Family Planning Commission; provide tobacco rehabilitation services, and regulate the tobacco rehabilitation clinics for patients to quit smoking; expand the pilot hotline at 12320 and promote the service hotline at 4008885531 to quit smoking; actively carry out legislative research to prohibit smoking in public places, and promote legislation for tobacco control in China.