Documentary on economic, health impact of tobacco

In a bid to highlight the harmful impact of tobacco use, the ministry of health and family welfare along with the World Lung Foundation has unveiled a documentary that shows the effect of tobacco on the lives of Indian citizens.

The documentary named "The Price We Pay", launched on the eve of World Tobacco day (May 31), features interviews of several victims of tobacco-related diseases. Patients and their families speak about how poverty can inflict a family when the main breadwinner dies due to such diseases.

The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-India) identifies that 27.5 crore people consume tobacco in India.

The four minute video also calls for increased taxes on tobacco to check tobacco use and to implement strong tobacco control policies such as hard-hitting graphic health warnings.

Speaking on the occasion, Nandita Murukutla, country director, World Lung Foundation said: "The ministry of health and family welfare continues to be a strong ally in the fight against tobacco in India and the new film gives them another way to counter the misconception that tobacco use is benign".