| Tobacco smoking (Or simply smoking) is the inhalation of smoke of burned dried tobacco leaves. The most important component of tobacco smoke is nicotine. Regular use of nicotine leads to addiction, which, according to the majority of experts, has a narcotic nature.
The USA and China are the largest manufacturers of cigarettes. The largest number of tobacco-dependent consumers lives in China, Yemen, Cambodia and Djibouti.
During the period 1970 to 1995, consumption of cigarettes per soul of population in the underdeveloped countries has increased by 67 percent while the same has decreased by 10 percent in the developed countries during the same period. Eighty percent of smokers now live in underdeveloped countries.
In the civilized countries of Western Europe and America, a dramatic tendency in restriction of smoking is observed. So, smoking is prohibited in public places, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Huge fines are imposed for violating the rules.
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Chinese authorities announced that there will be a ban on smoking in Beijing during the upcoming Olympics. The decision was met with much social unrest among Chinese population.
Smoking is so big part of Chinese culture that even half of Chinese male doctors smoke. Overall 320 million people smoke in China, making up 24.5% of the world's total smokers.
