AS SMOKING bans bite in the developed world the number of puffers in China, India and other developing countries continues to grow. The tobacco industry is regrouping in order to focus on poor countries and escape the pesky lawsuits it is likely to face in rich, litigious ones. But the war on smoking is spreading too. Over 150 countries have already ratified the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which requires signatories to take a range of anti-smoking measures in the hope of avoiding appalling consequences for public health.

AFP