Smoking in public places was prohibited nationwide from October 2008. According to WHO, 12% of the world’s smokers are in India and more than one million people die every year due to tobacco-related illnesses including cancer. Many studies and reports confirm that an estimated 120 million Indian adults smoked in 2010. Mostly the smoked tobacco is in the form of bidis, small locally made cigarettes with tobacco wrapped inside a Tendu leaf. In 2010, smoking caused about 10 Lakh deaths or 10% of all deaths in India. The death rate is about 70% of these deaths at age of 30-69 years. The Times of India (2015) says “smoking dips 10% in 2 years in India but women smokers up sharply. Cigarette consumption falling in India but women smokers have more than doubled in last 2-3 decades.”

TechNavio’s reported that E-cigarette market in India will grow at a CAGR of 63.4 percent over the period 2013-2018. The growth prospects of the E-cigarette market in India for the period 2014-2018 is high. Tobacco companies are now tricking kids into selling their products in the form of differently flavoured e-cigarettes. Flavour reduces the smell of tobacco and companies say it is safe as compared to smoking a cigarette. The market forecast is based on the understanding that e-cigarette sales during the forecast period may not be affected by the socio-political and legal dynamics in the country.

An e-cigarette is an electronic inhaler that simulates tobacco smoking. It is a battery-powered inhaler designed to provide inhaled doses of tobacco by way of vaporizing the solutions and simulating the effects of smoking by heating a nicotine liquid into vapour, which the user then inhales and exhales.

In India younger youth are more likely to become addicted when they start using tobacco and because of nicotine addiction, about three out of four teen smokers end up smoking into adulthood, even if they intend to quit after a few years. Youth, who continue in smoking early, has a higher probability of dying at an early age.

MD Anderson Cancer Centre has developed a program “ASPIRE” for students to make them aware of the consequences of smoking. ASPIRE is a free, bilingual, online tool that helps middle and high school students learn about being tobacco free. It explains the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use, so they never start smoking.  Or, if they already do, it gives information and ways to quit.  Students can earn a certificate of completion upon finishing the program. MD Anderson is interested to spread the program all over the world. There are possibilities to make a Hindi version and run in India especially in metropolitan cities. This program can be implemented in schools and colleges in India. Since tobacco use is increasing in India especially among young women, prevention is an important responsibility.

Last modified: 19/12/2017