KARACHI, June 6: Sindh has the highest number of cigarette smokers in the country with 16.1 per cent population having the addiction.

As against this only 7.1 per cent of the population are cigarette smokers in the NWFP.

A countrywide survey, sponsored by the WHO, revealed that about 25.4pc men were smokers against 3.5pc women. The percentage of smokers in urban and rural areas was 15.2 and 13.7pc, respectively.

The highest prevalence of cigarette smoking among men was found in those aged 25-44 years, constituting 48.6pc of all smokers.

The study said while smoking was common in Pakistan, there was no clear policy on tobacco control.

According to another survey, smoking is the single common cause behind 40 per cent of all cancers in the country. Out of the 65,000 confirmed cases of cancer in Pakistan, 26,000 have directly been attributed to smoking.

Out of the 1.1 billion smokers worldwide, Pakistan has 28 million of them. — APP