A Chinese health official on Thursday called for a halt to tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship in the country's health sector.

Cui Li, deputy director of the National Health and Family Planning Commission, made the remarks at a publicity campaign ahead of the 26th World No Tobacco Day, which falls on Friday.

Health departments and officials at all levels in the sector were asked to halt such practices, according to Cui, adding that already-signed tobacco advertisement deals will be terminated in a timely fashion.

Creating "no tobacco medical or health institutions" will be an "important indicator" to evaluate the qualification of hospitals, according to Cui.

Nationwide health departments are urged to strengthen cooperation with relevant departments in order to develop the legal system for tobacco control, the official said.

Cui proposed medical and health workers advocate giving up smoking and help smokers with their professional knowledge.

She said the Chinese Government has been actively meeting the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which it adopted in 2005.

A comprehensive ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship was included in the framework convention.

China has more than 300 million smokers, official figures show. About 1.2 million Chinese die from tobacco-related illnesses every year.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2013)