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For more, let’s bring in our reporter Zhang Nini. Nini, we know that China’s reform of its family planning policy has drawn¹ wide attention. What’s latest from the press conference?

A1: Well, Reform is a key word for healthcare system last year, and the biggest highlight is a major shift from the decades-long family planning policy. China is to allow couples to have two children if either parent is an only child. The easing of the policy is expected to benefit 15 million to 20 million couples. Mao Qunan said there’s no uniform timetable for implementation² nationwide. It should rather be based on the local population and social economic development. Each province will also need to report its adjustment to the Commission and get approval by the local People’s Congress for the policy to take effect. Preparation is now well underway. The health authorities are listing the policy change as a major priority in 2014. Maternal³ and child health facilities will also be improved to cope with what could be a baby boom.

Q2: Another issue is China banning officials from smoking in public, how will that work?

A2: China’s health authorities say they are actively⁴ looking at ways to reduce people’s smoking, and a ban on lighting⁵ up in public. The commission has set two service hotlines for this purpose. Yao Hongwen, spokesman from the National Health and Family Planning Commission says China is the world ’s largest producer and consumer of tobacco , and is also badly affected⁶ as a result. There are more than 300 million smokers⁷ in the country. More than 700 million non- smokers suffer from second-hand⁸ smoke . Smoking is one of the greatest health threats China faces. About one million people die of tobacco consumption every year, and 100, 000 people die from exposure to second-hand smoke. A circular was issued by the end of last year banning officials from lighting up in public. In addition to this, Yao said the commission will actively promote services to ban smoking. China has no nationwide law banning smoking in indoor public places, but the government has tried to ban the practice in the past. In 2011, the Health Ministry⁹ issued guidelines banning smoking in venues¹⁰ including hotels and restaurants, these guidelines will be written into legislation in the future.