8.5 per cent school-going children in India consume tobacco in some form: Experts

Story by PTI | Posted by Vidushi Gaur | Date 25-05-2026

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New Delhi

Ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, health experts on Monday called for stricter regulations and stronger institutional measures to tackle tobacco and nicotine addiction among children and adolescents in India.

Referring to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Global Youth Tobacco Survey-4, experts noted that 8.5 per cent of school-going children in the 13-15 age group consume tobacco in some form.

According to the survey findings, tobacco use among boys stands at 9.6 per cent, while 7.4 per cent of girls also use tobacco products. Experts further highlighted that nearly 29.5 per cent of students are exposed to passive smoking.

The concerns were raised during a national consultation jointly organised by the Department of Social Work at University of Delhi and the Socio-Economic and Educational Development Society (SEEDS).

The consultation, themed “Unmasking the Appeal-Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” brought together policymakers, academicians, public health professionals, civil society representatives and students to discuss the growing challenge of youth addiction.

Experts warned that flavoured nicotine products, attractive packaging, indirect advertising, social media promotions and aggressive marketing strategies are increasingly drawing children and adolescents towards nicotine dependence.

Salil Kumar, Director at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, said safeguarding young people from tobacco and nicotine addiction should remain a national priority.

L Swasticharan, Deputy Director General and Director (EMR) at the Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, emphasised the need for coordinated efforts involving educational institutions, parents, law enforcement authorities and civil society organisations to create safer environments for young people.

Professor Sanjoy Roy, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Head of the Department of Social Work at Delhi University, observed that tobacco addiction among youth is not only a public health issue but also a wider social and developmental challenge.

Dr Rana J Singh, Director of Tobacco Control for South-East Asia at Vital Strategies, cautioned that emerging nicotine and tobacco products pose a serious risk to adolescents and stressed the importance of evidence-based interventions along with stronger tobacco control policies.

SEEDS Executive Director Deepak Mishra also underlined the need for stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws and increased community participation to protect children from exposure to tobacco and nicotine products.

Organisers said that more than 100 students, faculty members, public health experts and stakeholders from various institutions participated in the consultation.