Cigarette consumption by volume fell 3.3 per cent in the 12 months to 31 March after the Beijing government hiked tobacco taxes, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Retail prices for cigarette rose an average 10 per cent, with discount brands increasing as much as 20 per cent, WHO said in a statement. Discount cigarette consumption fell 5.5 per cent.
“Increasing tobacco taxes and prices is the single most effective way of reducing tobacco consumption in the short term,” said Dr Bernhard Schwartländer, WHO representative in China. “The 2015 tax increase was an important step in the right direction, but only one step. Cigarettes are still incredibly cheap in China – which means they will become more affordable over time unless there are further, regular tax increases.”