Gujarat at centre of thriving illegal mosquito repellent incense stick market in India

A hidden public health threat is rearing its head in India, especially Gujarat, in the form of illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks. Gujarat is one of the biggest hubs for the manufacturing of these unsafe and illegal products, contributing significantly to the illegal incense stick market in India.

Marketed as ‘herbal’ or ‘natural’, illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks often contain unapproved chemicals.

According to experts, prolonged exposure may lead to respiratory problems, particularly among children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

Government authorities across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, have intensified enforcement action against illegal mosquito agarbattis, issuing statewide directives, conducting raids, and mandating action under the Insecticides Act, 1968.

Any chemical intended for use in mosquito insect repellents must be registered with CIBRC (Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee) before it can be manufactured, imported, or sold in the country.

Government CIBRC-approved mosquito repellents carry a CIR (Central Insecticide Registration) which is specified on the packaging, guaranteeing safety of the product. 

However, these illegal mosquito incense sticks lack approval. They bypass the mandatory three-year safety testing process, display no registration numbers.

Non-profit institutes like the Home Insect Control Association (HICA) have been cautioning people and authorities about the dangers of illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks. Between 2018 and 2024, it supported over 100 raids on producers, wholesalers, and sellers of these hazardous products across India.

Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary of HICA said, “As the threat of mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue is ever increasing, prevention is critical. However, a major critical concern is the rampant use of illegal mosquito repellent incense sticks, which have entered homes across Gujarat.”