ScienceInsider - breaking news and analysis from the world of science policy Tobacco Scientists' Prize Aspirations Go Up in Smoke

After a huge uproar, a tobacco research project nominated for a prestigious Chinese science prize has been withdrawn from further consideration, according to a story today in Science and Technology Daily. The Chinese newspaper reports that during a 40-day public comment period, the office managing this year's National Science and Technology Progress Award competition received 58 objections to 19 candidate projects, or 2% of all those nominated. A whopping 33 objections were lodged against the tobacco project, which claims to have improved the quality and marketability and boosted sales of Chinese cigarettes. After the office forwarded the objections to the nominating agencies for their responses, the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration withdrew its candidate.