Comment on "22% of middle school students try smoking" (China Daily website, Sept 23)

The smoking culture has hit the Chinese young generation hard. In China, instead of saying hello, the first thing many people do when they meet a friend is to offer a cigarette. What can we do with an unhealthy culture that is so deep rooted?

To change the situation, Chinese people should realize that smoking could even cause damage to their offspring. And they should have the determination to cut down smoking resolutely and be willing to bid adieu to their long practiced culture.

Manman, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 09/30/2011 page9)