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A recent report by KPMG Assurance and Consulting Services titled "Human-Centric Approach to Tobacco Control" has shed light on concerning trends regarding tobacco consumption among young adults in India. The report underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to tobacco harm reduction to address the significant health and economic burdens associated with tobacco use.
According to the report, India loses a significant 1 per cent of its GDP annually due to diseases and premature deaths caused by tobacco use. The country ranks second globally in tobacco consumption, with a particularly high prevalence among the productive age group of 20-44-year-olds. Shockingly, the report reveals that approximately 49 per cent of respondents in this age group consume tobacco in both smoking and oral forms.
Dr Narender Saini, Former General Secretary of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), expressed concern over the escalating health and economic consequences of tobacco use. He highlighted the prevalence of respiratory ailments, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancers linked to tobacco consumption, leading to premature deaths and financial hardship for affected families.
The report also addresses India's dual challenge of combating both smoking and oral tobacco use. Despite legally produced cigarettes accounting for only 8 per cent of overall tobacco consumption, the country harbours 250 million smokers aged between 16 and 64. The majority of tobacco consumption, approximately 92 per cent, is attributed to cheaper tobacco products such as Bidis, Chewing Tobacco, and Khaini.
Moreover, the illicit cigarette trade poses a growing threat to public health and government revenue. A 2022 study by FICCI Cascade revealed that the illegal cigarette market in India is worth Rs 22,930 crore, with the Indian government incurring a substantial loss of Rs 13,331 crore in 2022 alone.
In response to these challenges, the report advocates for a diverse range of alternative products and cessation techniques to support individuals in quitting tobacco. It emphasises the importance of a holistic and collaborative approach involving stakeholders from various sectors, including producers, consumers, regulatory agencies, public health professionals, and support groups.
Dr Chhavi Gupta, DM - Infectious Disease, Senior Consultant at Yashoda Super-Specialty Hospital, Kaushambi, Ghaziabad, highlighted the role of technology in amplifying outreach efforts and stressed the need for affordable and accessible Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as a harm reduction tool.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's inclusion of NRT products in the National Tobacco Control Program reflects a step towards addressing tobacco-related harm. Additionally, the report acknowledges the positive strides made by over 15 states in enforcing bans on the manufacturing and sale of oral tobacco products.
The KPMG report concludes by emphasising the necessity of a holistic roadmap for tobacco harm reduction in India. It calls for proactive collaboration between government bodies, public health experts, regulators, consumers, and healthcare practitioners to develop innovative and effective harm-reduction methods and alternatives.
