**Policy Summary: Tobacco Consumption Regulation in India**
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy regarding tobacco consumption as of July 25, 2025, based on an answer provided to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 991.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) acknowledges that tobacco consumption leads to premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey II.
While a complete ban on tobacco consumption is not explicitly stated, the government regulates the sale of tobacco products through the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement, Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003. This act prohibits the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products to and by individuals under 18 years of age, within 100 yards of educational institutions, and bans promotion and advertisement of these products.
Furthermore, the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019, enforces a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, including heat-not-burn products. The use of tobacco/nicotine in any food product is also banned under Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI), 2006.
For further information, contact the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy in India. It is the primary agency involved in addressing tobacco consumption.
SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about tobacco consumption.
Global Adult Tobacco Survey II: A survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to assess tobacco consumption patterns.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Prohibition of Advertisement, Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution Act, 2003: Indian legislation that regulates the sale, advertisement, and production of tobacco products.
Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement Act, 2019: Indian legislation that enforced a complete ban on electronic cigarettes.
Food Safety and Standards Act FSSAI, 2006: Indian legislation under which the use of tobacco nicotine in any food product is banned under Regulation 2.3.4.
cardiovascular diseases: One of the diseases caused by tobacco consumption.
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: One of the diseases caused by tobacco consumption.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.991
TOBE ANSWERED ON25TH JULY2025
CONSUMPTION OFTOBACCO
991.SHRIARUN KUMAR SAGAR:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether it is a fact that consumption of tobacco is injurious to life and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the Government is contemplating upon imposing a complete ban on the
consumption of tobaccoin the countryandif so, the detailsthereof;
(c) the date bywhich the Government islikelytobanit the use of tobaccointhe country; and
(d) if not,the reasons for not imposing the banon tobacco?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND
FAMILYWELFARE
(SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a): As per the Global Adult Tobacco Survey –II conducted by Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare (MoH&FW), tobacco consumption causes premature mortality due to cardiovascular
diseases,cancersandchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease.
(b) to(d): The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement, Regulation
of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, regulates the sale of
tobacco products. Under this Act sale of cigarettes & other tobacco products to and by persons
below the age of eighteen years, within 100 yards of educational institutions and
promotion/advertisement of these products are completelybanned. Additionally, the Government
of India has enforced a complete ban on electronic cigarettes, including heat-not-burn products,
under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export,
Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019. The Government has also
bannedthe useof tobacco/nicotineinanyfoodproduct underRegulation2.3.4ofthe FoodSafety
andStandardsAct (FSSAI), 2006.
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