Smoke more

6th September 2010

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Russia's finance minister has urged citizens to drink and smoke more.

If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems such as boosting demographics, developing other social services and upholding birth rates.

Alexei Kudrin made the surprising plea because he believes the anti-social habits will help boost tax revenues, resulting in more money for spending on social services.

He said: "If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems such as boosting demographics, developing other social services and upholding birth rates."

Alexei - whose government has announced plans to raise excise duties on alcohol and cigarettes - also claimed that those who do drink and smoke are better citizens.

He declared: "People should understand those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state."