THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is ahead in financial loss incurred due to tobacco use when compared to neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, according to the findings of a recent national study conducted to estimate the economic dimensions of tobacco use.
The report based on a study called ‘Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in India’ developed by the Public Health Foundation of India has estimated the money spent on tobacco use by persons aged between 35 to 69 years in 2011.
Andhra Pradesh leads the list with the highest economic burden due to tobacco use among southern states, according to a report.
The study supported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that the economic resources lost in treating four major tobacco-induced diseases is nearly 75 per cent more in Kerala than Karnataka. While users in Kerala spent Rs 545.4 crore, Karnataka spents Rs 314.7 crore. Financial loss due to tobacco use in Tamil Nadu is nearly 17 per cent less than in Kerala at Rs 467 crore. The study has estimated both direct medical costs and indirect morbidity costs in two categories.