The latest India Tobacco Control report from the Union Health Ministry reveals a troubling trend. On one hand, where tobacco consumption is decreasing nationwide, smoking among teenage girls is on the rise. Over the past decade, adolescent smoking has seen a notable increase, with girls experiencing the most significant surge.
Between 2009 and 2019, smoking among girls rose by 3.8 percentage points, reaching 6.2 percent, compared to a 2.3 percentage point increase among boys. This rise is alarming, especially as smoking among adults has declined, dropping by 2.2 percentage points in men and 0.4 percentage points in women. Furthermore, the prevalence of smoking in girls (6.2 percent in 2019) far surpasses that in women (1.5 percent in 2017), indicating a concerning trend of the younger generation becoming increasingly hooked on tobacco.
The reasons behind this surge are multifaceted. Teenage girls, like boys, often turn to cigarettes to cope with stress or to appear fashionable among peers. Tobacco companies target this demographic, portraying smoking as a symbol of empowerment and glamor. Additionally, the portrayal of smoking in media, particularly on OTT platforms, influences impressionable minds.
Moreover, the propagation of e-cigarettes as a safer alternative contributes to the problem. These products are readily available online and in the grey market, circumventing age verification laws. However, the health risks associated with smoking, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, and fertility problems, remain significant for both genders.
Despite the gender gap narrowing among adolescents, with 7.4 percent of girls and 9.4 percent of boys using tobacco in 2019, interventions are crucial to prevent future generations from falling into the trap of tobacco addiction. The report advocates for strict regulations, including banning tobacco advertising and promotion, prohibiting new tobacco products, and implementing plain packaging by 2040 to curb tobacco use among youth born after 2022.