Smoking in India
In India, the current prevalence of smoking among adults aged 15 years and older was estimated to be 9.3% in 2024, reflecting an increase from 8.1% in 2020. The current smoking prevalence among adult males was significantly higher with 16.7% in 2024, compared to 1.4% among adult females. This gender disparity has been consistent, as in 2020, the prevalence among males was 14.4% and 1.40% among females. The total number of smokers in 2024 was approximately 100,2 million individuals, showing an increase from 80,481,112 in 2020. For reference, the adult daily smoking prevalence in 2017 was 8.6%, with a prevalence of 15.2% among males and 1.7% among females. Smoking-related mortality remains a significant health concern in India, with 1,048,266 deaths recorded in 2021. This accounts for 8.92% of all deaths in the country. Of these deaths, 233,679 were recorded among female, representing 4.59% of all female deaths, while 814,587 were male, accounting for 12.23% of all male deaths. These data underscore the ongoing public health challenges posed by tobacco smoking in India, highlighting the necessity for effective public health measures to reduce smoking prevalence and its associated mortalities.
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January 06, 2026 by freepressjournal.in
Vaping Ban Exists Only On Paper
The vaping ban, ineffective in practice, has led to a surge in smuggling of e-cigarettes into India, contributing to health risks and substance abuse concerns among youths. The ban, aiming to protect teenagers, has inadvertently made vapes more accessible, with loopholes exploited by smugglers. Experts note the dangers of unregulated vaping, highlighting risks of addiction and health issues. While vaping is considered less harmful than smoking in some countries, its uncontrolled spread in India raises alarms. Despite regulations, vaping products are openly sold online, fueling a growing market worth $2.2 billion. Addressing these issues through public awareness campaigns is crucial, given the lax enforcement and the significant number of cigarette smokers in the country.
December 17, 2025 by awazthevoice.in
E-cigarettes banned under law; no NCB cases of drug-laced vapes: Govt
Electronic cigarettes are still banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act. The Narcotics Control Bureau has not investigated cases involving e-cigarettes with illicit substances. The government is vigilant at airports and ports to prevent smuggling, aided by K9 squads. Measures include the 24/7 National Narcotics Helpline 'MANAS' and the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan for awareness. There are no current plans to amend the NDPS Act. Recently, a complaint was filed against a TMC MP for using an e-cigarette in the Lok Sabha, violating regulations. The government continues efforts to combat substance abuse, with a focus on youth and women, through various programs.
December 17, 2025 by indiatimes.com
E-cigarettes banned under law; no NCB cases of drug-laced vapes: Nityanand Rai in Rajya Sabha
The Indian government clarified in Parliament that electronic cigarettes remain banned, with no cases related to vape devices with narcotic substances investigated by the Narcotics Control Bureau. Measures to prevent smuggling include vigilance at airports and ports, passenger profiling, and use of detection dogs. The government also highlighted initiatives to combat substance abuse, such as a national narcotics helpline and de-addiction services. E-cigarettes gained attention after a complaint was filed against a Trinamool Congress member for allegedly smoking one in the Lok Sabha. No amendments to the NDPS Act are currently proposed.
December 12, 2025 by deccanchronicle.com
Thakur Files Written Complaint against TMC MP for Smoking e-Cigarette in House
BJP MP Anurag Thakur lodged a complaint with Lok Sabha Speaker against a TMC lawmaker for allegedly smoking an e-cigarette in the House. Thakur cited the incident as a violation of parliamentary decorum and a dangerous message to the youth. He requested immediate inquiry and disciplinary action. Speaker Om Birla promised action upon a formal complaint. E-cigarettes were banned in India a few years ago.
December 12, 2025 by indiatoday.in
Smoking allowed outdoors: Defiant Trinamool MP on Parliament cigarette row
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy dismissed criticism over a video showing him smoking outside Parliament, calling it 'manufactured'. Roy clarified that smoking is allowed outside, not inside. This came after a clip of him smoking went viral. The debate escalated as BJP members raised concerns over smoking violations, including e-cigarettes, inside Parliament. India has banned e-cigarettes. House Speaker Om Birla vowed action if evidence of smoking violations was provided. The focus shifted from public health issues in Delhi to smoking controversies during the Winter Session.
December 12, 2025 by thestatesman.com
Anurag Thakur urges Speaker to act against Trinamool member over using e-cigarette in LS chamber
Former Union Minister and BJP MP Anurag Singh Thakur filed a complaint to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging that an AITMC MP used an electronic cigarette inside the Lok Sabha chamber. Thakur said the act was witnessed by several members and reported to the Chair during Question Hour. In his letter, he described the incident as a serious violation of parliamentary rules and relevant laws.
September 16, 2025 by newsbytesapp.com
Tobacco kills 13.5L Indians yearly, costs nation ₹1.8L crore
Tobacco is a major health issue in India, causing 1.35 million deaths annually. Treating tobacco-related diseases costs over ₹1.77 lakh crore each year. Only 7% of smokers quit without assistance. Healthcare experts recommend smoke-free nicotine alternatives to reduce harm, with studies showing they are significantly safer than cigarettes. Nicotine pouches, now available in 34 countries, including India, could help smokers switch from cigarettes. Public Health England states these alternatives are up to 95% less harmful than smoking. Dr. Soni from AIIMS-CAPFIMS suggests regulating these products to aid smokers in transitioning away from traditional cigarettes.
August 19, 2025 by filtermag.org
Indian Doctors Join Call to End the Country’s Vape Ban
India's vape ban has lasted six years, despite over 1 million smoking-related deaths yearly. Doctors from AIIMS advocate for a reevaluation, suggesting e-cigarettes aid cessation. They challenge the ban despite AIIMS' support. With high tobacco use, advocates call for harm reduction policies like those in the UK. The ban failed, leading to a booming illicit market. Public health experts urge a review for a safer approach. Doctors witness smoking's harm daily, supporting a reevaluation for better public health. Researchers emphasize the need for evidence-based policies to combat smoking's devastating impact.
August 18, 2025 by gfn.tv
GFN.TV Interviews #67 | BANNED IN INDIA | Vape Prohibition and the Fight for Harm Reduction
In India, hundreds of millions of tobacco users are kept in the dark about safer nicotine products, while the government bans popular alternatives like vaping and stays silent on even basic NRTs. Shot on location at GFN 2025 in Warsaw, Poland, Jagannath Sarangapani exposes how prohibition and the absence of relative risk messaging have shaped the country’s tobacco control strategy.
April 16, 2025 by theopinionpages.com
Rethinking Bloomberg’s Tobacco Control Influence: A Global Critique
The World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, ratified in 2005, aims to reduce tobacco use but has become influenced by Michael R. Bloomberg's agenda. The FCTC, aligned with Bloomberg Philanthropies' MPOWER strategy, focuses on taxation and advertising bans, neglecting harm-reduction tools like e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products that have successfully lowered smoking rates. Bloomberg-funded groups push for bans, contradicting their support for harm reduction in drug policy. This inconsistency affects global tobacco control, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Evidence shows harm reduction works, but Bloomberg's policies often overlook local contexts, exacerbate illicit trade, and lack scientific basis, highlighting the need for balanced, evidence-based tobacco control strategies.
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