Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS2)

Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS2) : Recently, the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS2) reported that approximately 42% of Indian men and 14% of women use tobacco.

• Key Highlights : India has 70% of the world’s smokeless tobacco users; bidis dominate in rural/low-income groups, while cigarettes are rising even in villages.

o Tobacco use causes high rates of cancers, especially oral cancer, with India leading male cancer deaths globally.

o Tobacco cost India more than ₹1.75 lakh crore in 2017-18, mostly from smoking, straining health and family finances.

o GST on tobacco (35%) is below the WHO’s recommended 75%, and rising incomes plus industry tactics keep prices low.

o MPOWER represents six evidence-based strategies recommended by WHO to reduce tobacco demand: Monitor tobacco use

- Protect people from tobacco smoke,

- Offer help to quit,

- Warn about dangers

- Enforce bans on advertising and promotion

 - Raise taxes on tobacco.