YANGON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A Myanmar high ranking official has warned of alarmingly rise of tobacco use in the country, saying it is reaching a dangerous stage, Myanmar News Agency reported Tuesday.
Minister of Health and Sports Myint Htwe made the remarks at the Myanmar National Conference on Tobacco Control and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases which kicked off in Nay Pyi Taw Monday.
Quoting the research data, Myint Htwe said 44 percent of men in Myanmar consumed tobacco, while 62 percent of men consumed quid with tobacco.
As per research conducted in schools, 13.6 percent of young students aged between 13 and 16 were consuming tobacco and quid.
Tobacco-free campaigns are being launched in universities and basic education schools, he said.
The two-day conference, titled "Uniting for Saving Lives and Saving Money," involves technicians and experts to seek effective ways to control tobacco consumption.