Iraqis Spend 3 Billion Dinars Daily on Tobacco

The Ministry of Health confirmed today, Saturday, that Iraq spends three billion dinars daily on tobacco purchases. Dr. Waseem Kilan, the Deputy Director of the Tobacco Control Program at the Ministry of Health, stated: "Iraqis spend 3 billion dinars daily on various types of tobacco," noting that "more than 70 percent of cigarettes are not subjected to testing." He added that "electronic cigarettes negatively affect individuals and society, and some contain narcotic substances. We need to legislate a new law regarding electronic cigarettes." He pointed out that "more than half of Iraqis suffer from smoking-related issues, with 30 to 40 percent of Iraqis inhaling secondhand smoke, while the number of smokers, according to the latest statistics, is about 20% of adults over 18 years old."