Despite a series of legal directives aimed at curbing tobacco use, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to grapple with widespread consumption, particularly among its youth. The enforcement of existing bans, such as the prohibition on selling tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions and the sale of loose cigarettes, remains weak, exacerbating the region’s tobacco crisis. This persistent challenge poses a significant public health concern.
Tobacco Consumption Statistics in J&K
Recent data reveals that J&K has one of the highest tobacco usage rates in India. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2 data, 35.2% of men, 5.1% of women, and 20.8% of all adults in J&K smoke tobacco. This prevalence ranks J&K sixth in the country, following Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. The survey also indicates that 6.8% of men, 1.5% of women, and 4.3% of all adults currently use smokeless tobacco. Overall, 39.7% of men, 6.2% of women, and 23.7% of all adults either smoke tobacco or use smokeless tobacco.
The situation is particularly dire in certain districts. A study published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine and Public Health found that Kupwara district has the highest prevalence of tobacco smoking at 56.6%, while Jammu district has the lowest at 26.6%.
Youth Vulnerability to Tobacco Use
Adolescents in J&K are especially susceptible to tobacco use. A survey conducted by the Department of Community Medicine at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar revealed that approximately 23% of school-going adolescents in Srinagar are smokers. The study found that 29% of adolescent boys had experimented with smoking, and 23% were current smokers. Factors contributing to these trends include parental smoking habits, peer pressure, exposure to movies depicting smoking, and a lack of anti-smoking media messages.
More troubling is the financial aspect: 16.1% of these adolescent smokers spend over Rs 1,000 monthly on tobacco products, often funded by their parents. This not only highlights the accessibility of tobacco products to minors but also underscores the economic burden on families.
Tobacco consumption is a significant contributor to non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). J&K has an alarmingly high COPD prevalence of 16-18%, compared to the national average of 5-7%.
Research from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) indicates that J&K faces some of the highest disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to tobacco consumption. Smokers in the region are 2.5 times more likely to develop tuberculosis than non-smokers, further underscoring the severe health risks associated with tobacco use.
Beyond its public health impact, tobacco use imposes a significant economic burden on the region. It is estimated that J&K spends Rs 600 crore annually on tobacco products, straining both household finances and healthcare resources. Despite legal restrictions, the sale of loose cigarettes remains rampant, making tobacco products more accessible and affordable, particularly to the youth.
Tobacco Control Laws
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), enacted in 2003, serves as the main legal framework for tobacco control in India. It bans smoking in public places, prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions, and restricts tobacco advertising. However, enforcement of these provisions in J&K has been weak, and violations continue unabated across the region.
In May 2016, the J&K government enforced a complete ban on the sale of loose cigarettes, loose bidis, and loose tobacco. Despite this, the practice continues, highlighting the challenges in effective enforcement.
To combat this growing issue, the Jammu & Kashmir Tobacco Control Program, under the Department of Health & Medical Education, has implemented several measures. These include active monitoring and fines for violations. From April 2023 to March 2024, enforcement agencies recorded 3,151 violations, issuing fines totaling Rs 2,12,925. In a subsequent period (March to December 2024), 2,360 more violations were recorded, resulting in Rs 1,51,252 in fines.
“We are committed to enforcing a complete ban on tobacco use in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, Director of the Jammu & Kashmir Tobacco Control Program. “To support this, we have developed an Android application to assess the tobacco-free status of educational institutions across the Kashmir division. Over 4,500 institutions have completed the assessment, ensuring they meet the guidelines.”
The department has also introduced another mobile application that allows the public to report violations of COTPA-2003 in public spaces and near educational institutions. Dr. Bakshi added that district-level coordination meetings, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, are held quarterly to ensure the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP). These efforts have seen 80% of educational institutions in the region successfully implementing tobacco-free guidelines. State-level coordination meetings are also held twice a year to reinforce these initiatives.
Moreover, a variety of awareness programs have been launched, including 807 street plays, nukkad nataks (street theater), health talks, and 2,646 school rallies to educate the public, especially students, about the dangers of tobacco use.
In a recent push, the Srinagar Police conducted an anti-smoking campaign in Lal Chowk, one of the city’s busiest commercial areas. The campaign aimed at educating the public and ensuring compliance with the smoking ban in public places was widely appreciated by locals. However, many stressed the importance of consistent, long-term anti-smoking efforts.
“Tobacco use will continue unless enforcement agencies maintain this initiative regularly,” said Altaf Ahmed, a resident of Lal Chowk. “It’s crucial that they don’t make this a one-time action but ensure sustained campaigns to make a real impact.”
Community involvement plays a pivotal role in tobacco control. Educational institutions, in particular, are crucial in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of young individuals. The Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0, launched by the Health Department of Kashmir, aims to encourage young people across India to resist or quit tobacco use. The campaign focuses on creating tobacco-free villages and educational institutions to promote a healthier lifestyle among young people.
