Egyptians blow six percent of income on tobacco: WHO survey
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The typical Egyptian family spends six percent of its monthly income on tobacco, according to a survey released on Thursday that was carried out in coordination with the World Health Organisation.
"Six percent of the family income is spent on tobacco, perhaps more than on health and education," said Ahmad Abdellatif, the WHO representative for Egypt, calling it a "heavy economic burden" for the Arab world's most populated state.
The average smoker spends 110 pounds (20 dollars) a month on tobacco, according to the survey of more than 23,500 homes across Egypt conducted in 2009 by WHO, Egypt's health ministry and its statistics institute.
"Twenty percent of adults smoke in Egypt," Abdellatif told reporters, referring to over 15 year olds, while the rate of tobabbo use was 38 percent for men.
The survey found that at least 70 percent of those questioned said they were subjected to passive smoking at home or at the workplace.
iba/cr/hc
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments