- Out of the 5.5 million tobacco deaths annually, nearly 1 million occur in India where nearly 35% of the adult population here is addicted to tobacco.
- Over 27% of the tobacco consumers in India are between 15-24 yrs of age.
- Besides causing high levels of morbidity and mortality, the total health expenditure burden of tobacco in 2011 was over Rs. 100,000 crore. The revenue from excise duty was a mere 17% of this.
- The Central Govt should focus on measures to prevent people, especially children from getting addicted to tobacco and help existing addicts to quit tobacco.
- This can be achieved by raising taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products, reducing the price difference between various brands.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/a-huge-health-burden/article6080223.ece
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