As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2016-17), in Madhya Pradesh 28.1% of all adults (38.7% of men and 16.8% of women) (15 years and above) use smokeless tobacco. Gutka and Khaini are the most commonly used form of SLT products.
Smokeless tobacco is a major cause of concern as 50% of the oral cancers in India are linked to them. Madhya Pradesh government needs to develop specific policies to control tobacco epidemic.
This was said in a consultation on Smokeless tobacco and other issues organized by Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association with the support of International Union Against Tuberculosis & Lung Diseases (The Union).
Additional Commissioner Bhavya Mittal, IAS said that Indore Municipal Corporation will take action against tobacco shops within 100 yards of educational institutions, she also said that affordability of tobacco products needs to be increased and sale of single cigarette/ bidi needs to be regulated. She stressed on need for tobacco cessation centres for children.