On World No Tobacco Day, India is focusing on the rising threat of tobacco addiction among its youth, with the World Health Organization (WHO) urging stronger actions to prevent a new generation from falling victim to tobacco products. The 2025 WHO campaign highlights the need to protect children from tobacco industry interference, calling for tighter regulations and increased public awareness.
India faces a significant tobacco-related health crisis, with over 28.6% of adults using tobacco in some form, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2, 2016-17). This amounts to nearly 267 million people, and tobacco use causes more than 1.35 million deaths in India each year. These deaths are often due to preventable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions.
Particularly concerning is the rise in smokeless tobacco use among youth and rural populations, with products like gutkha, khaini, and pan masala becoming more common. The growing appeal of flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches is also drawing adolescents into early addiction, despite the 2019 ban on e-cigarettes in India. Illegal sales and online marketing continue to undermine the efforts to curb this trend.
Health experts warn that tobacco addiction is not only a public health issue but also a social and developmental challenge. Officials stress the need for families, schools, and digital platforms to protect young people from harmful influences. To address the issue, several states have launched school-based programs and community outreach campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of tobacco use. Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have also intensified enforcement of anti-smoking laws in public areas.
Beyond health concerns, tobacco production and waste have a severe environmental impact. Tobacco farming contributes to deforestation, and the estimated 5.6 trillion cigarette butts discarded each year are a major source of pollution. The plastic cigarette filters are the most littered item worldwide, a fact that is often overlooked by users. As India’s environmental movement gains momentum, tobacco waste is increasingly being highlighted as part of broader climate and pollution discussions.
To combat this issue, the WHO and India’s National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) advocate for a comprehensive approach, including stricter enforcement of tobacco laws, higher taxes on tobacco products, ongoing media campaigns, better access to cessation services, and efforts to curb the online sale of banned tobacco items.
World No Tobacco Day serves as a reminder that tobacco kills, and eliminating its use is essential to improving public health, reducing poverty, and protecting the environment. As India works toward its 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the fight against tobacco remains a critical component of the country’s public health strategy.
