The Beijing Olympics are the first of its kind to take place after the world's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control took effect three years ago.

People's Daily carried an article saying that holding smoke-free Olympics is the first step to make the world free of smoke. What China should do is to keep people away from tobacco for healthy living.

The paper suggests adolescents be told of the harmful effects of smoking and be free from tobacco. Meanwhile, adult smokers should limit their smoking and reduce the harm to themselves and the people around.

As for the environment, although a complete ban on smoking cannot totally clear the air, the country can control major pollutants.

The paper goes on to point out that the Olympics are held every four years and only lasts for a couple of weeks. The event has limited power to advocate a smoke-free environment, but it embodies the spirit of a healthy lifestyle.

In conclusion, the paper says China still has a long way to go to make the world smoke-free. But a key task now is to limit the harm of smoking on people and to leave adolescents and children with no excuse to imitate the bad habit.