India now ranks first globally in male cancer incidence and mortality, driven by high tobacco use and rising affordability of harmful products.

Also Read: World No Tobacco Day 2025

Tobacco Use in India

• Widespread Use: India is home to over 270 million tobacco users.
  • According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-17 ( GATS 2 ), 199 million Indians use smokeless tobacco(SLT), 72 million smoke bidis, and 37 million smoke cigarettes.
  • India is home to 70% of the world’s SLT users.

• Use across Genders: According to GATS2 data, nearly 42% of men and 14% of women in India use tobacco.
• Cultivation Hubs: Tobacco is cultivated mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat, supporting livelihoods but worsening public health burdens.
• Heavy Economic Burden: Tobacco use cost India ₹1.77 lakh crore in 2017–18, amounting to 1.04% of GDP, with smoking contributing 74% of this burden.

Challenges in Implementing  complete Tobacco Ban

• Policy Interference: The tobacco industry influences policy through lobbying and CSR activities to prevent stringent laws.
• Rising Affordability Despite Taxation: Despite proposed GST at 35%, it falls short of WHO’s 75% MRP tax recommendation, making tobacco still affordable.
• Price Undermines Deterrence: Bidis cost as low as ₹5 ( less than a cup of tea ) , cigarettes and smokeless tobacco are also available at ₹5–₹12, within reach of low daily earners.
• Single Stick Sales: Selling single cigarettes, common in 87% of outlets, bypasses health warnings and maintains low purchase barriers.
• Industry Tactics: Manufacturers use “undershifting” to absorb taxes keeping the price unchanged despite a raise in taxes and affordability is also  preserved through unit pricing and rising incomes.
• Weak Enforcement: Despite a ban on gutkha and e-cigarettes, products are rebranded as herbal or Ayurvedic to bypass regulations, exploiting legal grey areas.
• Digital Loopholes: Online sales of nicotine products lack strict age verification, allowing youth access to flavoured pouches and lozenges.
• Dual Income for Companies  : Major tobacco firms now invest in pharmaceutical companies making nicotine replacement therapies, profiting from both addiction and treatment.

National Legislation

• Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act (COTPA) 2003: It governs different aspects of tobacco, such as production and supply, advertising and promotion, distribution and sale, as well as packaging and labeling.
• The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarette Act (PECA), 2019: It has banned e-cigarettes in India.
• Tobacco Taxation: India taxes tobacco heavily, with cigarettes at 53% of retail price. Bidis, a cheaper option, are taxed much lower at 16%.

WHO’S Initiatives to reduce Tobacco Use

• WHO’s MPOWER initiative includes six measures:
• • M: Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies.
  • P: Protect people from tobacco smoke.
  • O: Offer help to quit tobacco use.
  • W: Warn about the dangers of tobacco.
  • E: Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship.
  • R: Raise taxes on tobacco products.
• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): A Global Treaty on Tobacco Control adopted in 2003, the FCTC is the world’s first public health treaty to reduce tobacco consumption and its health impacts through legal and policy measures.
• 2024 WHO Cessation Guidelines:  WHO recommends supervised nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), behavioural counselling, and use of non-nicotine medicines like cytisine, bupropion, and varenicline for effective cessation.

Ways to Implement  a Comprehensive Ban

• Taxation Strategy: Increase tobacco taxes above income growth; align with WHO’s 75% MRP recommendation to reduce affordability.
• Ban Single Sticks : Prohibit single-stick sales to reinforce packaging warnings and curb impulse buying.
• Ban Flavoured and Recreational Nicotine Products: Strictly regulate or ban flavoured pouches and gums not meant for cessation, especially those targeting youth.
• Strengthen Online Regulation: Mandate age verification and restrict e-commerce sales of nicotine products.
• Invest in Cessation Infrastructure: Expand quitlines, train providers, and subsidise WHO-recommended medications for sustainable, science-based cessation.
• Enforce COTPA and Plain Packaging: Implement Section 5 of COTPA to stop surrogate advertising and introduce plain packaging with strong health warnings.

Conclusion

Tobacco addiction in India is evolving with industry tactics. Combating this threat requires multi-sectoral coordination, aggressive regulation, and public health prioritisation to secure a tobacco-free future.

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