Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory ranks sixth in tobacco use nationwide, with over 20% of the population indulging, officials report.Dr. Mir Mushtaq, State Nodal Officer for the National Tobacco Control Programme in Kashmir, disclosed that smoking prevalence stands at 20.8%, placing it sixth after Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
“The prevalence of smokeless tobacco in J&K is the lowest in the country at 4.3%, just after Himachal Pradesh,” he added.
Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2 data highlights that 35.2% of men, 5.1% of women, and 20.8% of adults in J&K smoke tobacco. Additionally, 6.8% of men, 1.5% of women, and 4.3% of adults use smokeless tobacco. Overall, 39.7% of men, 6.2% of women, and 23.7% of adults either smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Dr. Mushtaq emphasized the government’s efforts to curb tobacco consumption, including issuing fines and conducting awareness programs. “If we can make people conscious of the dangers, enforcement will not be as necessary,” he stated.
Moreover, tobacco users are 2.5 times more likely to develop tuberculosis, underscoring the urgency of quitting tobacco for better health outcomes.
To combat the issue, Jammu and Kashmir authorities have imposed a ban on loose cigarettes, bidis, and tobacco sales. Educational institutions and tourist destinations have been declared tobacco-free zones.
Despite these measures, tobacco remains a significant contributor to preventable deaths globally, with lung cancer cases on the rise in Kashmir. Hospital data indicates a higher incidence of lung cancer among males, linked to smoking habits. Officials stress the importance of quitting smoking for reducing cancer risk, emphasizing that the risk does not vanish entirely.
