A MAN being called China's first anti-smoking crusader by Chinese media came to Shenzhen this week to push his anti-smoking ideals.

"Smoking is a nation-wide issue. There are many smokers in Shenzhen too," said Zhang Yue.

"I went to Lotus Hill Park on Tuesday and saw hundreds of people smoking cigarettes on the lawn. I asked them not to smoke and gave them material about smoking hazards."

Persuading people not to smoke has become a major part of his life since he initiated his anti-smoking campaign in November 2001.

Hailing from Xin'an County in Henan Province, Zhang, 44, was raised in a peasant family and saw both his father and sister die from smoking-related illnesses.

This motivated him in 1990 to persuade his relatives to quit smoking. By 1996, 11 relatives had kicked the habit, which Zhang said encouraged him to persuade more people to give up smoking.

"Smoking is not just an individual habit, it's a social and economic issue," said Zhang. "Overseas tobacco makers are poised to compete for a bigger slice of China's cigarette market. After learning the news from an article in the Southern Weekend at the end of last year, I decided to step up my campaign."

Zhang wrote an anti-smoking declaration in 2001, which details the harm caused by smoking, methods of quitting and the social and economic consequences of smoking. He spent his own money on printing the material and distribute it to smokers.

So far, Zhang has spent more than 50,000 yuan (US$6,000) of his personal savings on the campaign and has been forced to take out numerous loans.

Zhang said he would continue his campaign because he believed he was doing meaningful work. This year, Zhang plans to organize an official anti-smoking association in China.

Zhang has two sons, one at university while the other is in high school.

"I haven't done enough to take care of them, but I hope they understand their father is doing something beneficial to the society."

 
Editor: Wings