Huge Rise in Tobacco Production 

A total of 2,444 tons of tobacco were produced in Iran during the first half of the current fiscal year (March 21-Sept. 22), registering a 265.3% growth compared with the 669 tons produced in the similar period of last year, latest data released by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade show.
There are presently 43 tobacco producing factories in Iran, which figure stood at 36 last year, ISNA reported.
The ministry’s data also show 400.2 tons of mu’assel (hookah tobacco) were exported during the same period, registering a 445.8% rise compared with the corresponding period of last year.