China has 15 million underage smokers

There are 15 million underage smokers in China, according to a report on tobacco control published by the Chinese Ministry of Public Heath.

About 40 million children between the ages of 13 and 18 have tried smoking. In addition, about 60 million are exposed secondhand smoke and 15 million are addicted to nicotine, Shanghai Daily writes citing the report.

The number of young smokers increases annually, the ministry says. Boys are the main smokers among school children. However, in cities, the number of female smokers is also increasing.

One reason behind the increase is the fact that tobacco advertisements target youths by associating smoking with independence and sex appeal, Shanghai Daily writes.

Over half of those that had tried tobacco products did so before they were 13 years old, the report says.

China has about 350 million smokers and it is also the world's largest tobacco production and consumption country.