India Ranks Among Top Nations Bearing Global Health Burden From Chewing Tobacco

India is among the top countries bearing the heaviest health burden from chewing tobacco, with South Asia identified as the epicenter of the issue, according to new research published in The Lancet Global Health journal. The study, part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, estimates that chewing tobacco contributed to 251,000 deaths globally in 2023. Worldwide, there were 241 million users, with use peaking among individuals aged 60 to 64 years.

Key Findings

Researchers found that more than 90 percent of chewing tobacco-related deaths and disability among men occur in 10 countries, including India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, and the US. For women, more than 90 percent of the burden is concentrated in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Myanmar, and China. South Asia had the highest concentration of use, with 14.6 percent of people aged 15 and above chewing tobacco in 2023. The region accounted for 210,000 deaths, representing about 84 percent of the global total. Stroke and cancers of the lip and oral cavity caused much of the health loss globally. Despite decades of tobacco control progress, global use prevalence has remained largely unchanged.

Context

Chewing tobacco is a major public health challenge across South Asia, where cultural and social factors strongly influence daily habits and tobacco consumption patterns. Public health experts note that prevention and cessation programs must be tailored to different countries, ages, and sexes rather than using a single uniform approach.