New Delhi: The sale of tobacco should be regulated to achieve the goal of controlling non-communicable diseases in India, said Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan here Thursday.

"It makes perfect economic sense to regulate the use of tobacco in order to achieve the goal of controlling non-communicable disease in India. Tobacco use is a preventable risk factor for major diseases and the resultant economic consequences," Harsh Vardhan said, releasing a report on the economic burden of tobacco in India.