Academy vows no more tobacco science members

BEIJING- The Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) announced on Friday that it will no longer recruit any tobacco scientists more than one year after the recruitment of a tobacco expert stirred strong controversy.

Scientists who work in the field of tobacco research will not be nominated or recommended for future selections of academics, said Xu Rigan, CAE's vice president.

The elite academic body included Xie Jianping, a cigarette researcher, as a member in December 2011, creating controversy among the public and media.

Xie was given the seat for his research on low-tar and herbal cigarettes at an institute under the China National Tobacco Corporation (China Tobacco).

The institute claimed that the cigarettes being researched were "less harmful than conventional tobacco products," a conclusion deemed controversial.

While some argued the claim was scientifically-grounded and applauded Xie's contributions to safer cigarettes, objectors dismissed the concept as deceptive, accusing Xie of serving the interests of tobacco industry.

Hundreds of academics from the CAE and other institutions have tried to persuade Xie to give up his seat, as well as requested the CAE to review Xie's membership.

Xie said he had conducted significant tests on "safe" cigarettes when he applied for the seat.

Xu confirmed Xie's membership will not be revoked, adding the CAE had set up a research group to conduct a thorough investigation regarding Xie's selection.

"Xie's research was approved by relevant government departments and the awards he cited in his application materials proved to be genuine," said Xu.

Xu added that the nomination and appraisal procedures conformed with relevant regulations and had been reported to the State Council.

"Xie's seat is valid," Xu said.

However, he admitted that the academic appraisal in the field of tobacco research was overtly economic-oriented, saying relevant research on "low tar" cigarettes were evaluated according to profits they generate for the tabacco industry.

"Frankly speaking, similar criteria has also been adopted during the evaluating and approving procedures of the CAE member," Xu said.

The tobacco control campaign has gained momentum in recent years as the public become increasingly aware of the harms of smoking.

China is the largest tobacco producing and consuming country in the world, with more than 300 million smokers and another 740 million people affected by passive smoking, official figures show. About 1 million Chinese people die from tobacco-related illnesses annually.