Profile
India Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
India Background
Profile
India Flag
Cigarettes
Traditional Smokeless
HTP
E-cigarettes
Snus
Pouches
NRT
Data sourced: 2023.   Page updated: 2025-06-19

As of 2021, India had approximately 215.9 million current users of traditional smokeless tobacco, representing an adult prevalence of 21.4%. Its current use among men was significantly higher at 29.6%, compared to 12.8% among women. Its daily use was reported by 18.2% of adults, including 25.1% of men and 11.1% of women. In terms of regulations, traditional smokeless tobacco is allowed and regulated as a tobacco product in India. It is thus legal to sell and use these products, and online purchases are permitted. However, the country enforces a ban on all forms of tobacco advertising, requires health warnings on packaging, and sets the minimum sales age at 18 years.

Prevalence

References:
  1. 1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ind.pdf?sfvrsn=4d7d5aa2_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025. 2. Calculation based on population size data of people over 15 years of age (16+). Source of population data: World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ind.pdf?sfvrsn=4d7d5aa2_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. Adults survey: National Family Health Survey, 2019-21; National, ages 15+ World Population Prospects 2019 [Internet]. United Nations; 2019. (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, editor. Population Division). Report No.: Rev. 1. Available from: https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
  2. Adults survey: National Family Health Survey, 2019-21; National, ages 15+

Product promotion

References:
  1. 1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.

Regulation

References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are some restrictions.

Availability

References:
  1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
  2. 1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
Comments:
  1. There are some restrictions.

Regulations and restrictions

References:
  1. WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2023. Available at: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/country-profiles/tobacco/gtcr-2023/tobacco-2023-ind.pdf?sfvrsn=4d7d5aa2_3&download=true. Accessed: 19 May 2025.
  2. 1. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025. 2. Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
The GSTHR database is updated regularly by our team. However, please be aware that the information we provide does not constitute legal advice. We cannot guarantee that the information is up to date or accurate, as the regulatory status of different product categories can change at short notice and with little publicity. If you wish to check the legal status of use or possession of any safer nicotine product in a specific country or region, you should verify the information independently. If you have reason to think that the information supplied on the GSTHR is inaccurate, please contact us with details and any references and we will rectify any errors.