Archive · 26 Jan 2026
India Urges WHO to Delay Arecanut Restrictions
The Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) in India has asked the Indian government not to let the World Health Organisation (WHO) make decisions about arecanut until India finishes its own research.
The WHO has said arecanut is bad for health, but Campco thinks more studies are needed, especially in India.
They say the WHO's decision is based on studies that mix arecanut with other harmful things like tobacco, not arecanut alone.
India is doing its own research, which will take about 18 months.
Arecanut is important in India because it's used in culture and religion, and many people depend on it for their jobs.
Campco is worried that if the WHO makes rules about arecanut too soon, it could hurt many farmers and the economy.
Campco urges the Indian government to delay WHO's decision on arecanut restrictions until India's research is complete.
WHO classified arecanut as carcinogenic (Group 1), while its component arecoline is classified as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B).
India's research, led by ICAR, is expected to take 18 months and involves 11 agencies.
Arecanut is culturally significant in India and supports the livelihoods of 20 million people across 11 states.
Campco argues that WHO's classification is based on studies that mix arecanut with other harmful substances, not arecanut alone.
- Who
- Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd, World Health Organisation (WHO) - IARC, Indian Government
- What
- Request to delay WHO's decision on arecanut restrictions until India completes its own research
- When
- Published on January 26, 2026
- Where
- India, with implications for South-East Asia
- Why
- To ensure India's scientific research is considered before making policy decisions on arecanut, which has significant socio-economic and cultural implications
- Organization Requesting Delay
- Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Processing Cooperative (Campco) Ltd
- International Agency Involved
- World Health Organisation (WHO) - IARC
- Current WHO Classification
- Arecanut: Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans), Arecoline: Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
- Indian Research Duration
- 18 months
- Indian Research Lead
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Arecanut's Global Production Rank
- 1st
- People Supported by Arecanut Cultivation
- 2 crore (20 million)
- States Involved in Arecanut Cultivation
- Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, and 6 others