Warning labels working, 17% down in tobacco use among adults

Tobacco use among adults in the country has decreased by 17% since 2010, according to recent data released by the Centre. Despite the growth in the population, there are eight million fewer tobacco users now than they were seven years ago.

There is a 33% fall in prevalence of tobacco use among Indians aged between 15 and 24. Tobacco use fell by 54% in the 15-17 age group.

“A series of actions, including graphic warning labels covering 85% of tobacco products, high taxation and ban on sale of gutkha by several states, proved to be useful in changing smokers’ attitudes,” said Dr Vishal Rao U S, oncologist and member of the committee on tobacco control.

According to the latest survey, there has been a 63% increase in the number of cigarette smokers and an 84% increase in the number of beedi smokers who thought about quitting because of warning labels.

Despite the reduction in tobacco consumption, India still has 267 million tobacco users, 199 million smokeless tobacco users, 72 million beedi smokers and 32 million dual users.