India spent Rs 1 lakh crore on diseases caused by tobacco in 2011

 Diseases caused by tobacco consumption caused an economic burden of Rs 1.04 lakh crore in 2011 to the country, according to a report by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

In reply to an RTI query, the Health Ministry said a study carried out by it has found that in 2011, Rs 1.04 lakh crore was spent on tobacco-related diseases among people in the age group 35-69. The ministry said the Health Secretary had written to the Cabinet Secretary in this regard to set up an inter- ministerial committee to coordinate between ministries over WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and issues related to control of tobacco.

The health ministry said under the National Tobacco Control Program school programmes to spread awareness among children is an important district-level activity. Delhi-based activist Gopal Prasad had filed an RTI asking about the cost born by the government and public due to diseases the consumption of alcohol, cigarette and tobacco.