Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of death and disease in India, harming nearly every organ of the body. Cigarette and bidi smokers face dramatically higher risks of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic lung illnesses like COPD. In fact, smoking and second-hand smoke kill about 1.2 million Indians each year. Doctors note that smokers often die 6 to 10 years earlier than non-smokers on average. To put it simply, tobacco is cutting lives short – stealing years of life that could have been spent with family, pursuing dreams, and enjoying retirement.

The cancer burden from tobacco is especially alarming. Over one-quarter (27%) of all cancers in India are caused by tobacco use. Smoking can cause cancers of the lung, throat, mouth, and many other organs. It’s not just cancer: smoking fatally damages the heart and blood vessels, leading to heart attacks. India faces a huge load of heart disease, and smoking is a major culprit behind it. The World Health Organisation calls tobacco a major risk factor for these chronic diseases. The takeaway for your health is clear: there is no safe level of smoking. Each cigarette injures your body, and over time the damage can be irreversible.

Why Vaping Is Not a Safe Alternative

Some people, especially youth, believe that vaping (e-cigarettes) is a “safer” alternative to smoking. This is a dangerous myth. E-cigarette vapor may not have the pungent smell of cigarette smoke, but it contains plenty of harmful substances. Vaping devices produce ultrafine particles that lodge deep in the lungs, toxic chemicals like diacetyl (which is linked to serious lung disease), volatile organic compounds, cancer-causing agents, and even heavy metals (nickel, tin, lead). Most e-cigarettes also contain nicotine, the same highly addictive drug in cigarettes, which can damage adolescent brain development and hook young people into lifelong addiction.

Health authorities in India took note of these risks early. The Government of India banned e-cigarettes in 2019, citing their harm to public health and youth. Unlike some countries where vaping is widespread, India has tried to shield its population from this emerging threat. The message is clear: vaping is not harmless. Whether you smoke tobacco or vape it, you are ingesting chemicals that can scar your lungs, affect your heart, and potentially cause cancer. Don’t let glossy ads or peer pressure convince you otherwise – the safest choice is to avoid all forms of tobacco and nicotine.

Dr. Pavan Yadav, Lead Consultant – Interventional Pulmonology & Lung Transplantation, Aster RV Hospital