Tobacco use is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases such as cancer, lung disease, cardiovascular disease and stroke. India is the second largest producer and consumer of tobacco, with nearly 267 million adults (29% of all people above the age of 15) using tobacco in 2016-17. World Health Organization (WHO) cautions that tobacco consumption is one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, killing more than 8 million people a year, including around 1.2 million deaths from exposure to second-hand smoke. While an increasing number of people are prioritizing healthy living in the post-pandemic world, there is an urgent need to engage citizens, especially young people in building tobacco control awareness and knowledge on prevention.
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Ending the epidemic we don’t talk about |