Over 92% Indians Favor Complete Smoking Ban in Public Places: Survey

A survey conducted recently by Tobacco Free India has shown that more than 92% Indian people support smoke-free public places across the country. The poll, which was carried out in Hindi and English on X (Twitter) between 2nd October & 19th October, received 65,272 respondent entries. The findings come at a time when debates on the effects of smoke to women and children health are still there and when there are continuing debates on the need to review current tobacco control laws.

The adverse effects of tobacco consumption or exposure to tobacco use in India have raised serious health concerns, According to the World Health Organisation India has about 1.3 million deaths resulting from the use of tobacco. A study featured in the Journal of Nicotine and Tobacco Research has shown that the current economic loss is enormous, with secondhand smoke causing a burden of ₹567 billion on the health care system, or 8% of the total health cost in India. These findings reveal the seriousness of the need for more strict tobacco control policies.

The head of rheumatology at AIIMS New Delhi, Dr. Uma Kumar added that, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 regulation has banned smoking in public places but allows smoking zones in some places. There has been a good public response to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s amendments to abolish such smoking zones where 97% of the survey respondents supported smoke free airports. The move is in an effort to deal with upcoming health complications and safeguard vulnerable groups from risky contact.