A proposal to include smoke cessation therapy and drugs under Chinese health insurance, included in a revised draft of Beijing's first-ever smoking regulations, has drawn differing opinions from the public, experts and health authorities.

Ying Songnian, a jurist who led the drafting efforts, said the proposal was included in a revised version of the regulations, which were submitted to the Beijing People's Congress for review earlier this month, after several drafters suggested adding it.

Advocates of the proposal believe providing coverage for smoking cessation treatment will effectively reduce smoking, while critics see it as a misuse of public funds in a country where poor people still struggle to pay medical bills that are not covered by public health insurance.

The motion, first proposed by Minister of Health Chen Zhu at a recent symposium on chronic diseases, was applauded by 50-year-old Beijing resident Wang Weiguo, who has smoked for nearly 30 years.

Last week, Wang was advised by his doctor to quit smoking after he was found to have high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels and high blood cholesterol levels, which are believed to be linked to his obstinate habit.

"I know that for a heavy smoker like me, it is unlikely that I will be able to quit sheerly through willpower. I'm afraid I have to seek medical help," Wang said.

"I'm not quite sure about the therapeutic effects, since I haven't heard of any successful cases. But it'll be a great incentive for me if my treatment costs can be covered by my health insurance," he said.

Xiao Dan, director of the smoking cessation clinic at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, said she has met many patients who feel reluctant to complete smoking cessation treatment at their own expense.

"Studies of our foreign counterparts show that covering smoking cessation counseling and medication under medical insurance can significantly increase success rates," said Xiao, who is also a researcher with the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco or Health Cooperation Center. She added that the practice has proven effective in a dozen countries.

Smoking cessation clinics in China currently provide three categories of medication, including both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The cost of 12 weeks of drug therapy ranges from 1,000 yuan ($157) to 2,000 yuan ($314), according to Xiao.

However, opponents say it is foolish to fund the efforts of smokers who wish to quit, as they tend to use up large amounts of medical resources.

"The proposal is very unfair for non-smokers," said Liu Yang, a 24-year-old employee of a state-owned company in Beijing.

"In my opinion, the government should curtail coverage for medical expenses generated by smoking-related diseases in order to deter smokers," Liu said.

Local health insurance authorities also feel hesitant about the motion, saying the time is not yet ripe for such a policy.

Local health insurance coverage in China is primarily aimed at those who suffer from serious diseases, said Jiang Jiyuan, head of the health insurance department under Beijing's human resources and social security bureau.

"Our funds are not enough to cover smoking cessation expenses," Jiang said.

Yang Gonghuan, deputy head of the Chinese Association for Tobacco Control, suggested raising premiums for smokers if their smoking cessation treatment is covered by health insurance.

Since smokers who need medication to kick the habit are in the minority, a more feasible method could involve mobilizing ordinary doctors to provide counseling to help reduce smoking, Yang said.

"For example, when a patient visits a doctor, the latter should confirm whether the patient smokes, and persuade him or her to quit smoking if the answer is 'yes'," Yang said.

As the world's largest tobacco manufacturer and consumer, China has more than 300 million smokers, according to a report issued by the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.

Over one million people die in China each year from smoking-related illnesses, and the number is expected to hit 3 million in 2050 if smoking is not curbed.

May 31 marks the 25th World No Tobacco Day.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2012)