Tobacco use could kill nearly 2.5 million women by the year 2030 out of which three-fourth deaths would occur in low-income and middle-income countries, the WHO has said.

According to the World Health Organisation, women constitute one of the biggest target groups of the tobacco industry at present due to their growing spending power.

The international health body said that unless urgent action is taken, tobacco use could kill more than eight million people by 2030, of whom 2.5 million would be women.

Approximately three-quarters of these female deaths would occur in low-income and middle-income countries.

Tobacco companies are increasingly targeting women through active marketing campaigns. As a result, the epidemic of tobacco use among women is increasing, it said.

The health costs of tobacco use for women are huge.

Women who smoke are more likely to experience infertility and delays in conceiving. Maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of premature delivery, stillbirth and newborn death and may cause a reduction in breast milk.

There is also a possible link between active smoking and premenopausal breast cancer.

Tobacco kills over five million people each year including approximately 1.5 million women.

The WHO and the Indian Government have decided to focus on marketing of tobacco to women this year.

"Controlling the epidemic of tobacco among women is an important part of WHO's tobacco control strategy," Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia said.

He called on policy-makers to implement a complete ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship of smoking and smokeless tobacco products, as called for in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.