Smoke more

06 September 2010

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

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."

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."

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