OGUN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Over 8 million individuals are killed by tobacco use annually, with an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers dying as a result of secondhand smoke exposure, a report has revealed.
Approximately 80% of the 1.3 billion tobacco smokers worldwide are in low- and middle-income nations.
The report also revealed that addicted smokers in various nations spend up to 25% of their monthly income on cigarettes.
According to the report, the death toll from tobacco-related illnesses is high in Nigeria, where at least 26,800 people pass away each year.
“The latest data in the country shows that the tobacco industry has found and is exploiting weaknesses in the law to interfere in tobacco control at the risk of public health and government revenue.
“Last year, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Alliance (NTCA) raised the alarm that producers of the tobacco products were lobbying government agencies to ensure the next generation of tobacco addicts were raised in Nigeria.
“This followed the lapsing of the negotiated moratorium on Graphic Health Warnings (GHWs) on tobacco products ending on November 20, 2023,” it states.
The report, which was released on ProVape website stated that Australia and Chile, tops the list of countries surveyed in the report, with smoking rates of 16.40% and 44.70%, respectively, spending as much as 24% to 25% of their income on cigarettes.
Meanwhile, having the lowest average monthly income, Chile has the highest number of smokers in the ranking at 44.7%.
READ ALSO: Firm Advocates Responsible Drinking Amongst Young Adults
“With only 0.46% of salaries spent on cigarettes, France is the last country on the list.
The findings revealed In Romania, 20% of the average monthly salary is spent on cigarettes, ranking it 3rd. With an average salary a little bit higher than in Chile, and a monthly cost of $163.80 for 30 packs of cigarettes, the country’s smokers spend 5th part of their salary on smoking.
“Hungary is 4th on the list, with its smokers spending 18.28% of their income on cigarettes. With an average monthly salary of $963 and the cost for cigarettes reaching $176 a month, 30.6% of Hungarians still choose to smoke.
“Ranking 5th, The UK has its smokers’ 16.84% of the average salary spent on cigarettes. Even with a relatively high average salary and a moderate smoking rate of 19.2%, the high cost of cigarettes contributes to its position in the ranking.
“In Ireland 15.91% of the average salary goes to cigarettes, placing it 6th on the list. Having a high average salary at $3.1K and a smoking rate of 23.6%, the costly price of cigarettes at $504 per month keeps the ranking high.
“Smokers in Portugal spend 15.39% of their monthly income on cigarettes, ranking it 7th. With an average salary of $1,1K and a not very high monthly cigarette expenses, this spending is notable taking into consideration the smoking population of 27.9%.
“Canada ranks 8th on the list with 14.00% of the average salary being spent on cigarettes. Even with a high average salary of and a lower smoking rate of 17.5%, the significant cost of cigarettes at $411 per month influences its rank on the list.
“Slovakia’s smokers spend 13.76% of their average salary on cigarettes, marking 9th position on the list. With an average salary of $1,1K and monthly cigarette costs of $163, 32.3% of Slovaks continue to choose smoking regardless of its economic impact.
Smokers in France spend 13.71% of their typical earnings on cigarettes. Given their comparatively high average wage of $2,5K, 34.6% of French individuals do not find the $345 monthly cost of cigarettes to be a significant deterrent to smoking,” it revealed.