China: Academy Keeps Tobacco Scientist Aboard

Source from:  China Radio International (CRI) (cn)  01/18/2013

A top academy is coming under fire after defying public outrage and continuing the membership of a scientist who specializes in refining low-tar cigarettes.

Dubbed the "tobacco academic" by many. Xie Jianping is coming under renewed criticism after his resume appeared on the website of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in a column that introduces outstanding academics.

Xie was elected as a member of the prestigious academy in 2011, but his membership has been questioned by anti-smoking activists and health experts.

Anti-smoking campaigners say Xie was famous for his studies in refining low-tar cigarettes, which are as harmful as regular cigarettes.

An official from the tobacco control office says it has been widely recognized that reducing tar in cigarettes cannot reduce harm, and low-tar cigarettes and cigarettes with higher tar content tend to cause different cancers.

Some experts say low-tar cigarettes misled consumers, that Xie should be deprived of his academy membership. Enditem