China is ordering makers of films and TV shows to limit the amount of smoking depicted on-screen, the latest effort to curb rampant tobacco use in the country with the largest number of smokers in the world.
The order from the country's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television — viewed Tuesday on its website —orders producers to minimize plot lines and scenes involving tobacco and show smoking only when necessary for artistic purposes or character development.
Minors under age 18 cannot be shown smoking or buying cigarettes, and characters may not smoke in public buildings or other places where smoking is banned.