Iran Has 7.7m Tobacco Smokers

Tehran, Sept 20, IRNA – Deputy Health Minister Ali Akbar Sayyari says there are 7.7 million tobacco smokers in the country and that tax increase on tobacco will specifically reduce the number of youth smokers and those among the needy people. Speaking at a session of Iran’s Tobacco Control Headquarters, he pointed to the double increase in hookah smoking in comparison to the past and warned against tendency of hookah smokers towards cigarettes and other smoking substances. He said currently about 7.7 million Iranians are smoking different types of tobacco substances and 4% of total deaths of those above 30 years old are due to smoking tobacco. The official said each year about 100 billion rials are wasted in the country due to smoking which causes different types of cancers as well. Underlining the need for increasing the cigarettes price and tax, he said a 10% increase in tax duties will reduce smoking by 4%, adding that in the meantime public knowledge should be increased and access to tobacco should be limited in order to minimize smoking./end