In rich countries, 'after years of advertising restrictions and campaigns warning of the h

ealth risks of smoking, consumers are starting to kick the habit. But consumption is still growing strongly in poorer countries. So, overall, cigarette sales have continued to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) reckons there are now 1.2 billion smokers worldwide, of whom three-quarters are in developing countries. A recent study by the organization found that 50,000 Asian teenagers take up the habit each day. In the Philippines, more than half of children aged 7 to 17 smoke. Almost 5 million people a year die from smoking-related diseases and the WHO says that, within 25 years, as today's teenage smokers become tomorrow's lung-cancer and emphysema (肺气肿) victims, the death rate could double unless tough action is taken now. Fearing that their health-care costs will rise sharply in future unless smoking is curbed, ten South-East Asian countries agreed last September to support the WHO's call for a global advertising ban.

Poorer countries could of course introduce domestic laws to curb the promotion of smoking. But such measures face tough opposition from the tobacco industry and those sectors funded by tobacco sponsorship, from sports to culture. A survey of 400 recent films released by India's "Bollywood" found that 320 had scenes involving smoking, usually presenting it in a positive way. If such countries had an international treaty obligation to control tobacco use, it might strengthen their health ministries' hands in overcoming the tobacco lobbyists'(说客) influence on domestic politics.

International agencies like the World Bank are convinced that higher taxes will curb tobacco use, though there is not much evidence to support this. Given their dependence on tobacco revenues, it is unlikely that finance ministers and state treasurers around the world would be so enthusiastic about increasing taxes if they really thought it would lead to smokers quitting en masse (全体地).

According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true？

A．In rich countries people are becoming more aware of the health risks of cigarettes and smokers are starting to quit.

B．More than half of the smokers in the world are in Asia.

C．More and more people in poorer countries are getting into the habit of smoking.

D．Despite years' cigarette advertising restrictions in rich countries, cigarette sales worldwide are ever increasing.