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
- 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/
- 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.
- 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/
- Adults survey: National Family Health Survey, 2019-21; National, ages 15+
Product promotion
- 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
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
- There are some restrictions.
Availability
- Tobacco Control Laws. Legislation by Country/Jurisdiction India. Available at: https://www.tobaccocontrollaws.org/legislation/india/sales-restrictions. Accessed: 28 May 2025.
- 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.
- There are some restrictions.
Regulations and restrictions
- 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.
- 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.
Publications
Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Burning Issue for Asia
Harry Shapiro
The focus of this GSTHR briefing is Asia. Sixty per cent of the world’s smokers live in this region and almost half the global deaths from smoking occur here. Asia is also home to nine in every ten users of smokeless tobacco (SLT), leading to high rates of oral cancer. In a number of countries, public health is severely undermined where governments either control or have a significant stake in domestic tobacco companies. New solutions are needed to tackle the public health threat from smoking and tobacco use - but safer nicotine products are banned in many countries. Would tobacco harm reduction improve public health in Asia? And if so - what are the obstacles that stand in its way?
The formal launch event for the briefing took place online on Sunday 18 April 2021 and was co-hosted with Association of Vapers India.
