AUB's Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI), in collaboration with the AUB Tobacco Control Research Group, held a seminar today to launch the IFI's new research report entitled "How Much Does Smoking Cost Lebanon? An Estimation of the Economic Impacts of Tobacco Consumption."
Summary:
Lebanon has one of the highest smoking rates worldwide. With young teenagers smoking water-pipe and cigarettes at the age of 13, Lebanon has yet to set a policy on tobacco control. Work inefficiency and environmental costs are not the only problems the Lebanese people face as a result of high smoking rates; they also face the vast number of diseases that come with it. This seminar launches an IFI-funded research paper written by AUB's Dr. Jad Chaaban, Dr. Nisreen Salti, and Miss Nadia Naamani. This is the first study in Lebanon to take a comprehensive look into the organization of tobacco and all major tobacco-related markets, and shows the millions of dollars in losses Lebanon faces as a result of tobacco consumption. Given the current political climate over prospective tobacco control policies in Lebanon, this study provides a foundation for informed decision-making. Policymakers will now have to consider the economic costs of smoking upon passing new tobacco control laws.
