The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report today stating that the number of people who die annually as a result of tobacco use could rise to 8 million if no action is taken.

    The report stated that most of the affected live in developing countries, and called on the importance of reducing the number of smokers, which requires additional spending especially on those developing countries and the economical obstacles they face.

    According to Mark Goodchild from WHO's tobacco control economics unit, the annual death rate due to tobacco use is 6 million currently, warning that if no measures are taken to control tobacco use, the number may rise to 8 million in 2030.

    He further added that around 80% of smokers are living in low- and middle-income countries, noting that the economic cost of tobacco consumption exceeds 1 billion dollars globally.

    Currently, tobacco consumes 15% of the overall health budget in high-income countries, however, this percentage decreases in countries without necessary resources to target the costs to smokers over other ill citizens.

Source: QNA