Recent public health data from India reveal a decline in female tobacco use, from 20.3% to 14.2%, attributed to intensified anti-tobacco educational campaigns and regulatory action. Despite the decline, secondary exposure remains a critical issue: over 64% of secondhand smoke–related fatalities involve women. Health officials stress that many tobacco-related illnesses emerge much later, even after use declines, so earlier prevalence continues to contribute to disease burden.
Tobacco Use Among Indian Women Declines
