'People who died of respiratory diseases were smokers'

Statutory warnings on cigarette packets and liquor bottles may appear meaningless to those who smoke or drink but it appears to be a lethal mix for those down with ailments like tuberculosis or heart diseases.

A latest report on “Prevalence of Smoking/Chewing, Alcohol and Vegetarian Among Various Causes of Death — 2010-13” has shown that majority of those who died at the age or above 30 years due to tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, peptic ulcer and liver diseases among others used to smoke or chew tobacco.

The report is part of a study of 1.82 lakh deaths that occurred during 2010-13. Though the proportion of deaths under these heads is less compared to the figures of 2004-06, it still depicts the effect of smoking on the health of people.