Tobacco.org

Smoking caused 13,544 deaths so far this year 

Cigarette smoking was the main reason behind the death of 3.38 million people worldwide, including 13,544 in Saudi Arabia this year, according to statistics published by the Saudi Charitable Society to Combat Smoking on its website.

The publication of the alarming statistics coincides with a major electronic campaign launched by Arab Volunteering World on its website. The campaign has been supported by the Saudi charity.

"Cigarette smoking is expected to kill 500 million people by 2030," said Adel bin Saad Al-Khofi, supervisor of the campaign, quoting a joint report issued by the World Health Organization and World Bank in August 2000.

"About 70 percent of these deaths are expected in the Arab world as a result of direct or passive smoking that affects wives, children and friends of a smoker," Al-Khofi said.

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