Smoking-related deaths remain a cause for concern in Laos

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN): Laos has the second worst record of all Asean countries with regard to smoking-related deaths, even though health officials have worked to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco.

Deaths, where tobacco is considered to be the main contributor, are estimated at 4,807 per year on average or 13 people per day, while every year tobacco kills at least 8 million people around the world.