Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- China , the world 's largest tobacco consumer , is aiming to ban indoor smoking in public areas by the end of the year . About one in three cigarettes smoked in the world is in China , according to the World Health Organization . And more than half of Chinese men smoke , according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in 2010 . Although the nation 's health ministry issued guidelines in 2011 to ban smoking in places like hotels and restaurants , they have n't been `` strictly enforced , '' according to Xinhua , China 's state-run news agency . The China 's National Health and Family Commission is now working on a tobacco control law with clear punishments , according to Xinhua . The country 's health authorities estimate over a million deaths from tobacco-related diseases every year . The WHO warns that if tobacco use is not decreased in China , these deaths will increase to 3 million by 2050 . Last month , Chinese government officials were told not to smoke in public places such as hospitals , public transport or schools to set a good example for the public . The latest moves by the Chinese government on tobacco are `` hopeful , '' said Dr. Judith Mackay , the senior adviser at the World Lung Foundation , who examines tobacco issues in China . About 32 Chinese cities have passed their own rules to restrict public smoking , she added . `` China stands on its own in the magnitude of the problem , '' said Mackay . `` Unless there is change in China , we wo n't proceed further in reducing the tobacco epidemic in the world . '' Tobacco use in China has far-reaching consequences , she said . `` This is n't a health problem . It 's a huge economic problem . There 's all these things ranging from medical and health care costs , the costs to the families and there 's the cost of secondhand smoke . ''
China moves to ban public indoor smoking by end of 2014 . Half of Chinese men smoke , according to survey . China is largest consumer and producer of tobacco .