Archive · 14 Sep 2025
India Targets 100 Districts to Curb Smokeless Tobacco Use
In India, chewing tobacco is a big health problem.
The government is focusing on 100 areas where many people use chewing tobacco to help them stop.
These areas have been chosen because they have a lot of users.
The plan includes special teams to enforce laws, more healthcare support, and community programs to help people quit.
Companies will also be responsible for dealing with the waste from their products.
The goal is to lower the number of people who use tobacco, which will reduce deaths from diseases like cancer.
India is targeting 100 high-risk districts to reduce smokeless tobacco use, a major cause of cancer.
These districts account for 68% of India's smokeless tobacco users.
Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat have the highest number of these districts.
The strategy involves multi-sectoral collaboration including enforcement and healthcare integration.
The plan includes dedicated enforcement task forces and community-led advocacy campaigns.
- Who
- ICMR, NICPR, Government of India
- What
- Implementing a targeted strategy to reduce smokeless tobacco use in India.
- When
- Not specified in article
- Where
- India, focusing on 100 high-risk districts
- Why
- To address the public health crisis caused by smokeless tobacco consumption, reducing cancer, heart disease, and COPD.
- High-Risk Districts Targeted
- 100 across 14 states
- Users in Targeted Districts
- 68% of India's smokeless tobacco users
- States with Most Districts
- Madhya Pradesh (15), Odisha (14), Bihar (11), Uttar Pradesh (11), and Gujarat (10)
- Estimated Reduction with Intervention
- Nationwide drop to 22.8% from 27.4% consumption if 30% reduction in targeted districts
- Annual Deaths from Smokeless Tobacco
- 383,248 in India