The Fight Against The Tobacco

Epidemic Is At A Critical Stage.

Bolder, Urgent action is needed.

India
harm Every year more than 981,100 people in India are killed by tobacco-caused disease, while more than 2.5 million
children and more than 120 million adults continue to use tobacco each day. Comprehensive tobacco control
policies, covering all forms of tobacco use, would reduce the death toll from tobacco, which otherwise would grow
with each passing year. It will also help to ensure that the tobacco industry cannot run roughshod over the lives of
the people of India. We encourage tobacco control advocates to reach out to other development communities to
strengthen their efforts in this mortal fight.

deaths
% caused by
14.3%
of men
Even though fewer men, on average, die from tobacco use in India compared with other
middle-income countries, still 15,441 men are being killed by tobacco every week,
necessitating action from policymakers.
tobacco, 2010

4.7%
of Women
Even though fewer women, on average, die from tobacco use in India compared with
other middle-income countries, still 3,375 women are being killed by tobacco every
week, necessitating action from policymakers.

Industry The combined revenues of the worlds 6 largest tobacco companies in 2013 was USD342 Billion, equal to 17% of
the Gross National Income of India. The industry is a powerful force that does not fear the actions of nation states
because its resources are often much larger.

Market Adult 23.2% Even though fewer men, on average, smoke in India compared with other middle-income
countries, still 106,000,000 men smoke cigarettes each day, the sign of an ongoing and
Smoking of men dire public health threat.
% using tobacco daily,
2013
3.2%
of Women
Even though fewer women, on average, smoke in India compared with other middle-income
countries, still 14,000,000 women smoke cigarettes each day, the sign of an ongoing and
dire public health threat.

Children 5.8% Even though fewer boys, on average, smoke in India compared with other middle-income
countries, still 1,851,800 boys smoke cigarettes each day, the sign of an ongoing and dire
Smoking of BOYS public health threat.
% using tobacco daily,
2013
2.4%
of GIRLS
Even though fewer girls, on average, smoke in India compared with other middle-income
countries, still 690,900 girls smoke cigarettes each day, the sign of an ongoing and dire
public health threat.

Smokeless 25.9% More people, on average, use smokeless tobacco in India than on average in middle-
income countries.
% currently using of Adults
tobacco, 2013 or
most recent

D o w nl o a d m a p s , data a nd c oun t r y f ac t s he e t s at t ob ac c o At l a s .or g

 India
Tobacco control policy is an excellent investment in the health of a countrys population. According to the
WHO, for less than INR 5 per person per year India will be able to pay for the four best buys in tobacco control
policy, raising tobacco excise taxes, enforcing a comprehensive national smoke-free law and a ban on tobacco
advertising and promotion, and mandating large graphic warning labels appear on tobacco product packaging.
This small investment will reap enormous dividends in health and prosperity.

Solutions Protect From Smoke Warn about the dangers to whole

Current Policy in Smokefree Health Care Facilities Yes
population in a media campaign
India Smokefree Universities Yes WHO Best Practice India
Smokefree Government Facilities Yes
Ran a national anti-tobacco campaign during 2011 and
Smokefree Indoor Offices Yes
2012
Smokefree Restaurants Separate Areas
Yes Yes
Smokefree Pubs and Bars Separate Areas
Part of a Comprehensive Tobacco Control Program
Smokefree Public Transport Yes
Yes Yes
All Other Indoor Public Places Smokefree N/A
Pre-Tested With The Target Audience
Funds for Smokefree Enforcement No
Yes Yes
Target Audience Research Was Conducted
Yes Yes
Warn about the dangers to tobacco Aired On Television and/or Radio
users on product packaging Yes Yes
Australia India Utilized Media Planning
(best practice) Yes Yes
Earned Media/Public Relations Were Used To Promote
Type of Warning Labels
The Campaign
Graphic Graphic
Yes Yes
Percent of Pack Covered
Process Evaluation Was Used To Assess Implementation
83% 20%
Yes Yes
Graphic Warning Rounds
Outcome Evaluation Was Used To Assess Effectiveness
2 3
Yes Yes
Has Plain/Standardized Packaging
Yes No
Enforce bans on advertising
Offer Help Number of Bans on Forms of 3 of a possible 7 bans
Direct Advertising
Quitting Solutions NRT and/or some cessation
services (at least one of which is Number of Bans on Forms of 6 of a possible 7 bans
cost-covered)
Indirect Advertising
National Quitline Yes
Ad Ban Compliance 70% self-rated
Percent compliance
Raise Taxes
Excise Tax as a Percent of Cigarette Price
WHO Benchmark India
75% of Retail Price is Excise Tax 26% of Retail Price is Excise Tax

D o w nl o a d m a p s , data a nd c oun t r y f ac t s he e t s at t ob ac c o At l a s .or g