Strengthening tobacco control must remain a global health priority

India's environmental burden of tobacco use and its policy implications

“…The US Surgeon General’s report of 1964 and the wealth of research that followed over the decades established the devastating health and economic impacts of tobacco on its users. 1 , 2 However, the volume of the unaccounted tobacco products waste discharged into the environment gets very little attention. 3 Because of its sheer volume and toxic nature it harms many marine and animal life forms and subsequently the humans, due to the contamination in the food chain and resulting biomagnification.…”

“…While many western countries have taken steps to ensure disposal of nicotine and related chemicals as hazardous wastes, under their policies for environmental protection, no such provisions classify tobacco product wastes separate from the municipal solid wastes in India. 2 Existing WHO reports and published literature does indeed identify a major share of plastic, foil and filter waste related to cigarettes, bidis and smokeless tobacco products being disposed of into landfills and marine debris, contributing to discharge of microplastics, heavy metals and toxins, 5 , 6 yet no previous attempts quantify such waste from a country specific perspective.…”

Tobacco Endgame: Can India Share the Dream?

“…1, 2 Over the last 40 years, New Zealand, a nation where tobacco use dates back to ancient history, emerged as a world leader in tobacco control. 3 With bans on tobacco advertising, the creation of tobacco-free spaces, and targeted initiatives for the prevention of early smoking initiation, New Zealand witnessed an almost consistent fall in the prevalence of tobacco use since 1975 and became the country with one of the lowest prevalence of smoking among developed countries in the 1990s. Smoking prevalence among the 25–45 years age group went as low as 18% in 2018 and 4.6% in 2021.…”