Smoking in India
Smoking is legally allowed in India but there exist some specific restrictions. Under these regulations, cigarettes are permitted for sale and can be legally purchased online, while sales through vending machines are not permitted. The importation of cigarettes for trade is allowed with a license. Health warnings on cigarette packaging are required, the minimum legal age for purchase is 18 years, and there are legal restrictions on smoking in public places. Advertising of cigarettes is regulated, which bans all types of advertising. Cigarettes are subject to a specific excise value of 28.92% and a total taxation rate of 57.60%. The current prevalence of smoking among adults aged 15 years and older in Inida was reported 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 that year. 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. Smoking-related mortality remains a significant health concern in India, with 1,048,266 recorded deaths in 2021. This accounts for 8.92% of all deaths in the country. Of these deaths, 233,679 were female deaths, representing 4.59% of all female deaths, while 814,587 were male deaths, 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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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 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 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.
March 28, 2025 by thehindu.com
Vaping is not an approved way to quit smoking, it is in fact, far more harmful
India has banned e-cigarette sales to protect its young population, with 27% of Indians using tobacco. The misconception that e-cigarettes help quit smoking is false. The ban restricts production, sale, and advertisement of e-cigarettes, aiming to address health concerns. Vaping exposes users to harmful substances like nicotine and metals. Contrary to belief, vaping does not produce water vapor but an aerosol with health risks. The effects of vaping on lungs can be severe, causing EVALI and potentially fatal consequences. Quitting smoking is more effectively achieved through approved methods like patches and counseling, rather than vaping.
March 18, 2025 by mediaindia.eu
Despite ban, e-cigarettes readily available in India
E-cigarettes remain readily available in India despite a ban, fueling concerns among doctors about their popularity with the youth. The ongoing issue highlights enforcement challenges as illicit sales persist online and offline, exposing regulatory gaps. Despite health risks, including addiction and serious illnesses, e-cigarette consumption remains widespread, especially among young people. Factors driving their appeal include attractive flavors, peer pressure, and lack of awareness about the ban. Poor enforcement has led to a thriving illegal market, with sales continuing through various clandestine channels. Increased public awareness and stricter monitoring are necessary to curb the growing illicit trade of e-cigarettes in India.
March 12, 2025 by thesouthfirst.com
Nicotine replacement therapy: A path to quitting or just another crutch?
Experts discuss the effectiveness of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in aiding smoking cessation. NRT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, increasing success rates. However, prolonged reliance on NRT can hinder quitting smoking altogether. Alternative methods like cold turkey and Champix are mentioned. While temporary aid with NRT can be beneficial, the ultimate goal is complete nicotine cessation. Using NRT during pregnancy is discouraged. Substituting cigarettes with candies is not advised due to the addictive nature of sugar. Quitting smoking requires willpower, understanding health risks, and support. Compared to alcohol withdrawal, cigarette withdrawal is less severe. Successful quitting depends on motivation, support, and awareness of risks.