Tobacco use among women in India 2019-2021, by region

According to a survey conducted between 2019 and 2021 in India, tobacco use was noted to be higher among rural women. About ten percent of respondents in rural India reported having used tobacco, compared to 5.4 percent in urban areas.

Drivers of tobacco use

Studies point to a number of drivers leading to tobacco consumption among women in India. For the majority of rural women living in severe circumstances compounded with challenges relative to food security, consuming tobacco is known to alleviate stress, suppress hunger and increase physical energy for manual labor. Aside from this, other drivers include forms of social inclusion and companionship through shared use, peer group use and family attitudes.

Risk of tobacco consumption

High rates of tobacco consumption point to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancers specifically lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. In addition, close to eight percent of tuberculosis related deaths are attributed to some form of tobacco consumption. Approximately 35 percent of women who were non-smokers were exposed to second-hand smoke. Further, tobacco use extends beyond the individual smoker and is known to severely affect children in the family. India was the third most common country for oral cancer incidences globally.