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• Shanghai lawmakers call for ban of "Love China" tobacco ads 

Lawmakers in Shanghai are moving to ban billboards urging people to "Love China", which were put up to promote one of the country's major cigarette brands, Chung Hua. "Chung Hua" in Chinese also means China.

The slogan of four Chinese characters "Ai Wo Chung Hua" (Love China) is emblazoned on bright red billboards featuring a picture of Beijing's landmark Tian'anmen Gate at the entrance to the former Imperial Palace. The billboards also have the Chinese for "Smoking can damage your health".

"The slogan 'Love China' is good, but when producers put 'Smoking can damage your health' beside it, the slogan becomes an advertisement," said Li Ming, a deputy to the on-going Shanghai People's Congress.

"All advertising related to tobacco or tobacco companies must be banned in line with the law," said Li, who is also vice head of Shanghai Lawyers Association.

Such covert advertising is also used for other tobacco brands, including Huangshan, produced by Bengbu Cigarette Factory, and Baisha, made by Baisha Group, Li said.

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