10 Countries Account for 90% of Global Chewing Tobacco Health Burden, Study Finds
What Happened
A study published in The Lancet Global Health found that over 90% of chewing tobacco-related deaths and disability among men are concentrated in just 10 countries: India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, the US, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Madagascar. Researchers estimated chewing tobacco caused 251,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with 241 million users globally. South Asia alone accounted for about 84% of all chewing tobacco-related deaths.
Key Takeaways
The study identifies South Asia, particularly India and its neighbouring countries, as the global epicentre of chewing tobacco use and related disease burden, highlighting the need for stronger tobacco-control measures.