The use of tobacco and the associated costs are creating an enormous burden on the State government’s exchequer.
According to the highlights of a report on the Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in Karnataka, released by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Minister for Health U.T. Khader on Tuesday, the total economic costs attributable to tobacco use in the State amounted to Rs. 983 crore in 2011, involving persons aged 35 to 69, of which 73 per cent was direct medical costs and 27 per cent indirect morbidity costs.
The survey conducted to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India states that in Karnataka, 28.2 per cent of adults used tobacco, about 12 per cent adults were smokers and 19 per cent used smokeless tobacco. Furthermore, 44 per cent adults were exposed to passive smoking at homes.
Among the diseases, cardiovascular diseases shared the highest economic burden (Rs. 136 crore) on account of tobacco use followed by respiratory diseases (Rs. 77 crore) and tuberculosis (Rs. 54 crore). Cardiovascular diseases also contributed the highest of the total direct medical cost of 40 per cent and 49 per cent of the total indirect cost, according to the survey.
