Report finds tobacco use resulted in 6M deaths in 2011; Russia to consider nationwide smoking restrictions

"Tobacco use led to almost six million deaths in 2011, according to new research released ... on Monday, of which nearly 80 percent were in low- and middle-income countries," Inter Press Service reports. "Such trends, fueled by tobacco industry tactics, are having a 'devastating' impact on the global economy, health and development," according to the "Tobacco Atlas," which tracks tobacco use worldwide, the news service writes, noting, "Overall, a billion people are expected to die due to tobacco use over the course of the 21st century" (Biron, 10/15).

In related news, the Wall Street Journal reports on legislation in Russia "that would establish nationwide smoking restrictions similar to those seen in much of the West -- such as limits on advertising and smoking in restaurants -- [which] is expected to be submitted to parliament on Nov. 1 for a vote early next year" (Alpert, 10/15). According to the WHO, 39 percent of the Russian population are regular smokers, Bloomberg Businessweek notes (Kravchenko/Meyer, 10/16).