Using tobacco harms people's health and causes economic loss-therefore, governments must make a priority of tighter tobacco controls, according to World Bank experts at the 10th World Conference on Tobacco or Health in China. The poor suffer disproportionately as a result of tobacco use, the World Bank said.
Tobacco use causes profound health and economic losses.
Tobacco use is rising in many developing countries. In addition to its damage to health, tobacco use causes considerable economic loss through rising health costs, and loss of productivity. The World Bank, since 1992, has formally adopted a policy of not lending for tobacco production, processing, or marketing, as well as encouraging greater tobacco controls.