Health watchdog to reward employees who quit smoking   

卫计委:对主动成功戒烟一年职工进行奖励

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(ECNS) -- China's health watchdog said in a statement on Friday that it will reward its officials and employees who quit smoking for a year, the Beijing News reported.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) adopted the regulation as a move to encourage its employees to give up the habit, the report said.

The commission began pushing a national smoking ban last year, asking all of its employees to quit, as well as prohibiting smoking in designated areas.

It also warned that if more than three employees are found smoking, or if ashtrays are found in the office building, the leader of the department will not qualify for selection as a model employee.

The statement also asked doctors to inquire and record the smoking history of patients during their initial diagnosis.