Over 1 cr people in Gujarat addicted to tobacco and cigarettes, health concerns rises

Tobacco consumption in Gujarat is rising at an alarming pace, spreading from major cities to remote villages. A report presented in the Lok Sabha has revealed that more than one crore people in the state are addicted to tobacco, bidis and cigarettes, a trend directly linked to the growing number of cancer cases.

Despite ongoing awareness drives by the state government and various voluntary organisations, tobacco use continues to surge, particularly among young people aged 15 and above. Easy availability of gutkha, tobacco sachets and cigarettes around schools, colleges and universities has further fuelled the problem. Hookah and cigar consumption among urban youth has also become a growing concern.

The central government’s report states that 25.1% of Gujarat’s population uses tobacco, one of the highest rates among Indian states. Tobacco is consumed in two forms, smoking and smokeless. Nationally, smokeless tobacco is more commonly used, typically in the form of gutkha or chewing tobacco mixed with lime and betel nut.

In Gujarat, 19.1% of people use smokeless tobacco, indicating that gutkha and chewing tobacco addictions are more widespread than cigarette or bidi smoking. Cigarette use is higher in urban areas, while bidis remains the preferred choice in rural regions.

Health studies indicate that tobacco, gutkha, bidis and cigarettes significantly increase the risk of mouth and throat cancer. Research has also linked tobacco use to a higher likelihood of kidney cancer. Despite large-scale awareness campaigns, the number of tobacco users in Gujarat has not declined.

With rising addiction levels, the state is witnessing a troubling increase in cancer cases, prompting fresh calls for stricter enforcement and stronger public health interventions.