new delhi union health minister dr harsh vardhan on monday led the pledge to keep away from tobacco on the occasion of world no tobacco day 2021the theme of the world no tobacco day 2021 is commit to quitthe people who smoke cigarettes can face more complications of covid19 which can even lead to their deaths they face 40 per cent to 50 per cent added risk due to this habit he remindedhe said that nearly 13 million deaths are recorded in the country because of the use of tambaku tobacco adding that the cost on the economy resulting from health complications from the use of tambaku amounts to 1 per cent of gdpprime minister shri narendra modi led the countrywide movement against the menace of ecigarettes he saiddue to persistent efforts of central government and state governments prevalence of tobacco use has decreased by six percentage points from 346 per cent in 200910 to 286 per cent in 201617 he addedtollfree quitline services are available in 16 languages now i appeal to people to change their behavior and quit tobacco use vardhan saidworld health organisation who has awarded dr harsh vardhan with who directorgeneral special recognition award for his accomplishments in the area of tobacco control