30-05-2025
- Health
- United News of India
Tobacco consumption claims over 78,000 lives annually in Rajasthan
Jaipur, May 30 (UNI) Tobacco consumption claims the lives of approximately 8 million people worldwide each year, with India accounting for over 13.5 lakh deaths and Rajasthan witnessing over 78,000 fatalities annually. Moreover, more than 5,500 children in the country and over 350 in the state start consuming tobacco and other smoking products daily.
Pawan Singhal, Senior Professor at the ENT department of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur, highlighted these alarming statistics ahead of World No Tobacco Day - May 31.
Citing the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), Dr. Singhal emphasized that the increasing trend of tobacco consumption among Rajasthan's youth is detrimental to their health, with nearly 78,000 people succumbing to tobacco-related deaths in the state.
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS 2019) reveals that 74.3% of adolescents in Rajasthan have been exposed to tobacco product promotions, while 15.6% are aware of e-cigarettes. Dr. Singhal stressed that the tobacco industry uses innovative marketing strategies to attract young people, which has a direct impact on the youth.
On World No Tobacco Day 2025, the theme "Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing the Industry's Tactics to Hook New Generations" will be discussed globally. The campaign aims to raise awareness among school and college students about the harmful effects of tobacco and the deceptive marketing strategies employed by the tobacco industry.
Shyam Maru, Trustee of Sukham Foundation, emphasised the need for collective efforts to reduce cancer cases and promote a healthy society.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-II) 2017-18, 26.7 crore adults (28.6%) in India use tobacco, with 21.4% consuming smokeless tobacco and 10.7% smoking cigarettes and bidis. The survey also reveals that over 5,500 children start using tobacco daily in the country. UNI XC AKT SSP
