Nearly 13.8 percent of Moroccans aged above 20 smoke

A rate of 13.8% of Moroccans aged above 20 are smoking addicts and 70% of teens aged between 13 and 15 have already tried smoking, including 30% who are addicted.

The findings of a national survey conducted by the health ministry were released during an information day on tobacco addiction held on Wednesday as the world marks the anti-tobacco day.

Participants in the event also said tobacco sales soared by 67% between 1980 and 1990 and the treatment of tobacco-caused diseases cost the state more than profits generated by the tobacco industry, standing at 7 billion DH ( about $ 636 million).

Health department officials announced that starting this Thursday, 600 hectares of spaces at Morocco's hospitals will be proclaimed non-smoking areas. An urgent appeal was launched for mobilization of authorities and non-governmental organizations to reduce tobacco-addiction, which is increasingly prevailing among Moroccan youth and women.

Morocco adopted ten years ago a law banning smoking in all public spaces but its observance is still limited.