If the underlying upward trend in teenage smoking continues, Iran will be among the top 3 cigarette consuming countries within the next forty years. Secretary General of the National Headquarters for Tobacco & Smoking Control Khosrow Sadeghniat said $33 billion is annually spent on smoking, ISNA reports. He added that 30% of children under the age of 5 are exposed to second-hand smoke and “unfortunately we are far short of achieving the goal in reducing smoking rate.” He further called for raising taxes on tobacco to check its use.
