Average Keralite spends about 9% salary in Tobacco

4 April 2013
Kochi

Kerala has the highest per capita consumption of alcohol in India. Now, the Global Adult Tobacco (GAT) survey (2011-12) shows yet another startling fact — the state has high smoking prevalence rate than the national average; with more than one-third males in Kerala using tobacco in one form or the other. According to the survey, the current smoking prevalence of 28% among males in Kerala is higher than the national average of 24%, with just about 2% kicking the butt sans any external help.

The survey also shows that smokers in Kerala spend nearly 9% of their income on smoking. While the average age of those using tobacco among adults in India is 17.8 years, it is 18.3 years in Kerala. Stress, lifestyle changes and high income have contributed to the rise in the number of smokers in the state. “A lot of youngsters purchase high-end cigarette packs. On an average, they smoke about eight to 10 cigarettes a day,” says Dr Saju, a city-based doctor, and adds that youngsters these days use cigarettes with bigger filter, that will last longer.

Source – http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health/Keralites-spend-9-salary-on-tobacco/articleshow/19379560.cms

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