Kolkata: The capital city of eastern state of West Bengal has the highest rate of cigarette consumption among India’s cities, a survey has found.
About 44 percent of respondents in Kolkata reported an increase in cigarette consumption in the last few years, with weekly spend on cigarettes reaching Rs 348 (US$5.84).
Smoking cigarettes is seen as a way to relieve stress by most respondents in Kolkata who smoke mostly during and after work hours,” the survey said.
Asked about awareness of risks posed by smoking, 93 percent of respondents said they were aware smoking or chewing tobacco can cause lung, mouth or throat cancer.
About 94 percent of respondents said they had never tried to quit smoking and 64 percent do not have a health insurance policy.
The survey was conducted in association with GfK Mode and covered the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Hyderabad.
Bureau Report
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