Tobacco.org

Drugs cost nation an arm and leg: $56bn a year 

SOCIAL and health problems caused by tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs cost Australia more than $56 billion dollars a year, according to a report to be released today.

The alarming new figures come as leading health experts call for radical reform, and a massive boost in funding, in the fight against smoking, alcohol abuse and obesity.

The real costs of drugs include ill health, premature death, reduced productivity, crime and accidents, say report authors Professor David Collins of Macquarie University and Professor Helen Lapsley of the University of New South Wales.

Tobacco was by far the most painful to the country's hip pocket -- a $31.5-billion bill.

In one year (2004-05), there was $9.2 billion lost in workplace productivity due to tobacco or alcohol

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