Pinpin Zheng is a tobacco control research expert and Union member from Shanghai.
To celebrate the tobacco control expertise across The Union, following World No Tobacco Day, we find out more about Pinpin, her drive to help people quit smoking and why she joined The Union.
What is your role in the tobacco control field?
I have engaged in dozens of tobacco control research programs. Some of our research has provided solid evidence to advocate for tobacco control policy. Working with the media, the evidence can push forward the tobacco control process.
What university do you work for?
I'm a professor in the School of Public Health of Fudan University. I'm also the Director of the Tobacco Control Research Centre in the Health Communication Institute of Fudan University.
How did you become a Tobacco Control expert?
I have worked in tobacco control research for over 20 years – since I was a PhD candidate.
Why did you decide to work in the tobacco control field?
Tobacco use is the most important risk factor in China and about half of males are smokers. As a faculty in public health, I think it is my role and pleasure if I can advocate for tobacco control policy and help smokers quitting.
Is there a specific project you are working on currently that you would like to share?
We have developed a mobile smoking cessation approach based on a machine learning method and now we are recruiting smokers to evaluate the effectiveness through a randomised control trial. Also, we are trying to explore the social norms of smoking in China as well as its relationship with tobacco use.
This year’s World No Tobacco Day theme is ‘Grow food, not tobacco’, does any of your work relate to this?
We have been to Yunnan Province which used to be the most important tobacco planting province in China. We visited the local people who used to plant tobacco but have now turned to vegetables farming. We interviewed them to understand their opinions and the obstacles on alternative crop farming.
Why is Tobacco Control so important and why should it be prioritised?
More than 8 million people die from tobacco use globally every year. Most tobacco-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Tobacco use is highly addictive and widely used. In addition, there are new products which may attract young people.
What would you say to someone thinking about working in Tobacco Control?
Tobacco control is not easy or a smooth process, it needs cooperation of the government, society and different agencies. It is important to grasp opportunities to work with different departments.
Why did you become a member of The Union?
The Union is engaged in striving to end suffering due to tuberculosis and lung diseases. Tobacco use is the prominent risk factor of lung cancer and other disease. In addition, I have attended training programs developed by The Union that have really helped me. Therefore, it felt like a natural process to become a member of The Union.
What is your role within the Union Tobacco Control section and what does it entail?
I’m the secretary of the Tobacco Control section and Coordinating Committee Of Scientific Activities member. I attend the section discussions, help organise webinars and contribute to the arrangement of the annual conference.
Would you recommend that others join The Union?
Of course. The Union is a global scientific and technical organisation. There are many resources such as annual conference, professional journal, webinars and trainings. In fact, we have designed a Chinese version about the introduction of The Union to encourage more people to join.