- Tobacco remains one of the most significant causes of disease and death worldwide.
- With nearly 26 crore tobacco users as of 2016-2017, India ranks second only to China.
- Over 60 lakh people working in the tobacco industry face health risks due to skin absorption of tobacco.
- Tobacco cultivation severely depletes soil nutrients and contributes to deforestation.
- Tobacco Use Surveys:
- The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for (above 15-year age), Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) asses use among students (13 to 15 years) in India.
- According to NFHS, Overall tobacco use has decreased, but among women, it increased by 2.1% between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021.
- No surveys have been conducted since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Control Measures and Challenges:
- India supports WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and enforces the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003.
- National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP) was launched in 2007, it aims to enforce COTPA and FCTC, raise awareness, and help people quit tobacco.
- While tobacco products are taxed, enforcement is weak. Packaging guidelines for smokeless tobacco are often ignored, and fines for violations remain outdated and minimal.
Dig Deeper: What is the alternate crop option available to Tobacco farmers in case of diversification in the Tabaco belt?
