Globally, tobacco is one of the major public health hazards and is responsible directly or indirectly for an estimated 1 million deaths annually in the country. There are approximately 120 million smokers in India. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is home to 12% of the world’s smokers. As of 2015, the number of men smoking tobacco in India rose to 108 million, an increase of 36%, between 1998 and 2015.

Prohibition of Smoking Act 

Smoking in public places was prohibited nationwide from 2 October 2008 under the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008 and COTPA. Places, where smoking is restricted, include auditoriums, cinemas, hospitals, public transport, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs, amusement centers, offices (government and private), libraries, courts, post offices, markets, shopping malls, canteens, refreshment rooms, banquet halls, discothèques, coffee houses, educational institutions, and parks.

No Smoking Day

No smoking day is celebrated on the second Wednesday of March and it is inspired by no tobacco day. No smoking day is being celebrated on Wednesday, 9 March this year. The theme for No Smoking Day 2022 is 'quitting smoking doesn't have to be stressful'.

Health benefits of quitting smoking

Improves heart health – Quitting smoking reduces the risk of disease and death from CVD. Reduces the risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), stroke, cardiac arrest, heart failure.

Enhances respiratory health – It reduces the risk of developing COPD. Improves lung function and the treatment outcomes of persons with asthma.

Prevents cancers – Quitting smoking reduces the risk of different types of cancers – Bladder cancer, lung cancer, colon and rectum cancer, kidney and liver cancer, oral cancer, stomach cancer, etc.

Induces good reproductive health – Quitting smoking promotes a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Reduces the risk of delivering a low birth weight baby. Reduce the risk of preterm delivery.

Supports general health – when you quit smoking, the body starts showing positive changes – heart rate drops. It improves health status and enhances the quality of life.