Over 15,000 Cambodians die of tobacco-related illnesses annually

Illustrative image (Source: AFP)

Hanoi (VNA) - More than 15,000 people died of smoking every year in Cambodia, Mom Kong, executive director of the local non-government organisation, the Cambodia Movement for Health, said on March 9.

Kong cited a recent survey by the Ministry of Health showing that there are an estimated 1.6 million adult cigarette smokers, or 13% of the country's adults aged 15 years old and above.

The rate of adult cigarette smokers had dropped by 4% between 2014 and 2022, he said.

It is estimated that Cambodian smokers spent 235 million USD a year on cigarettes and tobacco, Kong said, adding that tobacco users in rural areas were likely to spend more money buying tobacco products than those in urban areas.

Kong said if the government increases taxes on tobacco products, it is believed that the death toll from tobacco-related diseases will be further reduced.

He added that tobacco users are at risk of morbidity and early mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and many other tobacco-attributable diseases.

According to a United Nations study, tobacco-related illnesses cost Cambodia's economy 657 million USD a year, Kong said./.

VNA