[Comment] Leveraging health taxation for public health gains in China

Tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy diet (such as consumption of sugary drinks) are leading preventable drivers of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Despite a decrease in smoking prevalence among people aged 15 years or older, from 28·1% in 2010 to 23·2% in 2024, China is still home to approximately 275 million people who smoke tobacco, accounting for around 23% of the global total.1 The prevalence of alcohol consumption among adults in China has been increasing over the past two decades.2,3 The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has also been increasing, particularly among teenagers.