Primary students make cigaratte models during an anti-smoking campaign. (File photo/China News Service)
(ECNS) -- Chinese children face a serious health threat from both smoking and second-hand cigarette smoke, said Qin Geng, director of the Department of Maternal and Child Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission.
A study on middle school students in 2014 found that 6.9 percent had used tobacco, with the rate for male students reaching 11.2 percent and for female 2.2 percent, said Qin.
He also said 11.9 percent of middle school students had tried smoking, 82.3 percent of whom do it before 13 years of age. In some provinces, the percentage of female student smokers at middle school was higher than the group over 15 years old.
Nearly 73 percent of students were exposed to second-hand smoke at home, indoors or at public places, the official added.
There's sufficient evidence to prove that exposure to smoking affects children's abilities of perception, behavior and physical growth and can also cause a range of diseases.
Qin said China should strengthen anti-smoking efforts to protect the health of children, meet World Health Organization standards and increase public awareness on the hazards of smoking.
