Tobacco sales in China have fallen for the first time in two decades as the Beijing Government 's health drive and the rise in excise taxes take effect . Historically , China bucked the trend in falling tobacco volumes , however , its consumption has dropped 2.4 % , the equivalent of around 60bn cigarettes , bringing down global volumes . Although triple digit growth rates may have evaporated, more than half the markets covered grew by more than 20 per cent in value terms. China accounts for 45 % of all cigarettes smoked globally , with more than half of its adult male population identified as smoking ; the World Health Organisation says that each year smoking - linked diseases account for one million deaths in the country .
Tobacco sales in China have fallen for the first time in two decades as the Beijing Government 's health drive and the rise in excise taxes take effect . Historically , China bucked the trend in falling tobacco volumes , however , its consumption has dropped 2.4 % , the equivalent of around 60bn cigarettes , bringing down global volumes . China accounts for 45 % of all cigarettes smoked globally , with more than half of its adult male population identified as smoking ; the World Health Organisation says that each year smoking - linked diseases account for one million deaths in the country .