Tobacco Burden
Published on May 29, 2025
By The Editorial Team
- Studies have shown that India has made progress in reducing
the use of tobacco, both smoked and smokeless, over the years, thanks to
aggressive awareness campaigns initiated by the government and non-governmental
organisations, as well as laws and policies to discourage tobacco use. This is
encouraging. However, the same can’t be said about the consumption of smokeless
tobacco like gutkha, pan masala, and khaini, despite serious health risks posed
by it, especially oral cancer. As per the National Family Health Survey
(NFHS-5), 2019–21, a staggering 38 per cent of men and nine per cent of women
age 15 and over use tobacco in India. Tobacco use is alarmingly high in the
north-eastern states with Mizoram (73 per cent men, 63 per cent women) topping
the list. According to the survey, 48.4 percent of men and 13.7 per cent of
women age 15 and above use tobacco in Nagaland, which is significantly higher
than the national average. Notably, health experts have linked the high cancer
prevalence in the northeast to rampant use of tobacco. This should be taken
seriously to reduce public health risks and economic challenges associated with
it.
- The government of India has implemented several regulatory
measures, including mandatory display of pictorial and text health warning
labels prominently on the tobacco packages, in an attempt to reduce tobacco
consumption. Through the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA),
2003, the government has prohibited smoking in public places and advertising
and sale of tobacco products to minors. The government has also enacted the
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, prohibiting the
manufacture, sale, trading, and advertisement of electronic cigarettes
(e-cigarettes). While the reduction in the consumption of tobacco in the
country can be attributed to these laws, much needs to be done to stop the
menace. We can’t afford to sit on the little progress made over the years. We
need to remind ourselves that India is still the world’s second-largest
consumer of tobacco. The World No Tobacco Day, which is observed every year on
May 31, should serve as a reminder of the shortcomings as well as the
importance of anti-tobacco awareness. The higher tobacco use among the rural
populace, as compared to their counterparts in urban areas, indicates that
educating the general public about the consequences of tobacco use on health,
economy, and environment is vital for a tobacco-free society. Promoting a
healthy lifestyle can go a long way in enhancing quality of life.
