One in every two persons uses tobacco in State: Dr Komolini
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 04 2014: In Manipur, tobacco is used by one in every two persons and at the same time consumption rate of all forms of tobacco product is on the rise in the State.

Dr K Komolini Devi, State Nodal Officer, Medical Directorate, Manipur stated this while participating in the World No Tobacco Day 2014 observance organised by District Tobacco Control Cell, Imphal East at the Conference hall of the district Chief Medical Officer (CMO) here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion held under the theme "Raise Taxes on Tobacco," Dr Komolini said tobacco causes different diseases and the World No Tobacco Day is observed on May 31 each year with the primary objective to save people from these diseases.

She said nearly 6 million people suffered from tobacco related diseases throughout the globe every year and it is expected to rise to 8 million by 2030 as per reports given by experts.

Smoking causes lungs cancer, stroke, hypertension and heart attack while smokeless tobacco products such as pan, zarda and khaini cause mouth cancer, Dr Komolini mentioned.

She said tobacco is used by one in every two persons in Manipur and the consumption rate of all forms of tobacco product is on the rise in the State.

"We need to levy more taxes on tobacco products to discourage the users," she suggested and pointed out that tax levied on tobacco products in the States of Rajasthan and Punjab have been fixed at 60-80 percent.

Here in Manipur, only 13 percent of tax is imposed on tobacco products, but efforts are on to increase the tax to at least 30 percent, she informed.

Dr L Swasticharan, CMO, Directorate of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India; Dr L Ashok, CMO, Imphal East and other officials also attended the function.

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