BEIJING—Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao called Tuesday for action to alleviate pollution, representing the highest-level acknowledgment to date of hazardous air-quality levels across much of China in recent weeks.

Mr. Wen's comments suggest concern among officials that the issue could become a political problem for the top leadership.

"Recent smoggy weather is affecting people's production and their health," Mr. Wen said during a meeting with industry leaders and other private citizens, according to a statement posted on the central government's website.

"We should take certain and effective measures to accelerate industrial restructuring, and push forward energy conservation and emissions reduction," Mr. Wen said. His call to address the issue also was broadcast on China's nationally televised evening-news program on Tuesday.

Mr. Wen's comments follow a similar call two weeks ago from Vice Premier Li Keqiang, who is widely expected to succeed Mr. Wen as premier in March. "We should strengthen efforts to enforce environmental protection laws and remind people to protect themselves," Mr. Li said, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.