Effects of tobacco worse than alcohol or drugs
12:39PM
Wednesday April 09, 2008
SYDNEY - The adverse health and social effects of tobacco account for more than half of all drug costs to the community, a report due to be released today reveals.
Tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs are responsible for $A56 ($NZ65.89) billion a year worth of ill health, accidents, premature death, crime and lost productivity.
The figure outstrips the annual $A45 billion health budget, Fairfax reported.
Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon is expected to cite the costs detailed in the government-commissioned report to try to counter unhealthy habits that trigger chronic disease.
On its own, tobacco accounts for more than half the costs, $A31.5 billion, while alcohol comes with a bill of $A15.3 billion annually and illicit drugs lead to $A8.2 billion in social and health costs.
Ms Roxon said she did not expect to change people's habits soon.
"This won't be simple and it won't be quick," she told Fairfax.
"Cultural shifts are complex and difficult to achieve."
