Alcohol and Cigarette users, pay for medical treatment

The Ministry of Health has taken another valuable step to encourage a drop in people's consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Patients diagnosed with diseases caused due to alcohol consumption and smoking will have to pay for their treatment at Government hospitals from January 1 2011, the Health Ministry reiterated yesterday.

According to the Ministry sources, stringent action will be taken against the heavy consumption of alcohol and cigarettes by implementing a new policy which makes it compulsory for alcohol and cigarette users to pay for any medical services provided to them at any State hospital in the country.

Non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, cancer and high blood pressure are often due to the excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, sources added.