Rise in the number of smokers in India

Just before the World No Tobacco Day (May 31), the Global Burden of Disease collaboration has published three new studies regarding the number of smokers around the world.

Overview of the study

• The study shows that globally in the year 2019 the number of smokers increased to 1.1 billion.
• 7 million Deaths occurring worldwide due to health issued related to tobacco.
• 1 in 5 deaths in males worldwide due to tobacco
• 89% of new smokers became addicted by the age of 25.
• Globally, 155 million smokers belong to the age group of 15 to 24.
• Increase in male smokers between the ages of 15 to 24, the top three countries are India, Egypt and Indonesia.
• Largest increase in female smokers in the ages of 15 to 24 is in Turkey, Jordan and Zambia.

About India in the reports

• According to the study, in the year 2019 India recorded the second highest number (around 2crore) of tobacco smokers who were aged between 15 to 24.
• India also recorded the highest increase of male smokers in the 15 to 24 age group since 1990.

Countries with the highest number of smokers

China, India, Indonesia, USA, Russia, Bangladesh, Japan, Turkey, Vietnam and Philippines are the top 10 tobacco smoking countries in the world. These countries constitutes of the two-third smoker population in the world.

About World No Tobacco Day

Formed in the year 1987, the World No Tobacco Day is observed on 31^st May annually. This day is used by the World Health organization, to create and spread awareness about the health risks that can occur due to smoking of tobacco.