Although the West invented and spread the use of tobacco, the East has taken up the habits. Currently, China has one of the world’s highest smoking rates, over 30 percent of the adult population. Greece is the country with highest smoking population, but Japan, South Korea, and China have fairly large groups of people who are smoking. (http://www.economist.com/node/11333122?story_id=11333122)
Both South Korea and Japan have executed unsuccessful campaigns of quitting tobacco usage. However, beginning from May 1st, China will soon take the dramatic step of banning cigarettes in hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and most other indoor public spaces. The actual results of the new laws remain unclear, because the government-issued trend away from public smoking does not include punishment from violation of law. However, the Chinese government does plan to take action by raising taxes on cigarettes and curbing smoking scenes in TV shows and films. (http://genevalunch.com/blog/2011/03/26/china-gets-tougher-on-smoking-but-gently/)
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