The state saves on the elderly

Elderly Cubans will have to quit smokingABC magazine based on BBC materials: Cuba to withdraw cheap cigarettes for elderly
Until recently, all Cubans over the age of 55 had the opportunity to purchase four blocks of cigarettes every month for 25% of the normal price, since the remaining 75% of their cost was covered by the state.

Since September of this year, elderly citizens of the island lose the right to this benefit.

This decision is the latest attempt by the current President of Cuba, Raul Castro, to cut budget spending. According to the official wording, the abolition of tobacco financing for elderly residents is "part of the steps aimed at the complete elimination of subsidies." President Castro did not report anything about the health benefits.

It is known that some non-smokers took cigarettes at a reduced price and resold them to increase their small pensions. The injured Cubans themselves consider the government's actions an insult and complain that they will have to quit smoking: with a pension of $ 10, they are not able to buy cigarettes at full price.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru27.08.2010