The World Health Organisation reveals that tobacco alone is responsible for over 8 million deaths each year worldwide.

Health Minister Dr. Ifereimi Waqainabete says out of that figure, seven million died for heavy smoking and 1.2 million from second-hand smoking.

Dr. Waqainabete says this makes smoking the single leading cause of death globally and the tobacco epidemic one of the largest public health threats in the world today.

“The total cost of healthcare attributable to smoking-related diseases in the Western Pacific region equates to an average of 2.6% of its national GDP for 15 Countries surveyed in our region. That figure directly signifies the amount of work needed to be done and how far the Ministry of Health and Medical Services should go to ensure it is effectively addressed here at home.”

Dr. Waqainabete says it is also the leading cause of NCDs such as heart disease and cancer.

The Minister says this results in significant health care costs that impose a considerable burden on the health systems.