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Jain YK, Bhardwaj P, Joshi NK, Singh PK, Lal P, Kapoor S, Gupta MK, Goel AD, Sharma PP, Singh S. Estimating the weight of consumed tobacco product waste in various Indian states: a novel method to assess the potential burden of tobacco product waste. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058118. [PMID: 37734958 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The direct morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco are well documented, but such products also contribute to a range of environmental pollutants resulting from tobacco product waste. No previous studies have yet quantified tobacco product waste in a low-income and middle-income country (LMIC). This study estimates the potential annual waste generated due to consumption of smoked and smokeless tobacco products in India and its states. METHODOLOGY We systematically collected samples of smoked and smokeless tobacco products from 33 districts of 17 Indian states/union territories. Stratified weights of plastic, paper, foil and filter packaging components, and gross empty package weights were recorded. Prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use at national and state-level estimates was derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016-2017) to quantify waste potentially generated by tobacco products. RESULTS We included 222 brands of tobacco products (70 cigarette, 94 bidi and 58 smokeless tobacco brands) in the final analysis. A total of 170 331 (±29 332) tonnes of waste was estimated to be generated annually, out of which 43.2% was plastic, 3.6% was foil and 0.8% was filter. Two-thirds of the overall waste was contributed by smokeless products alone. Maximum waste was generated in Uttar Pradesh (20.9%; 35 723.7±6151.6 tonnes), Maharashtra (8.9%; 15 116.84±2603.12 tonnes) and West Bengal (8.6%; 14 636.32±2520.37 tonnes). CONCLUSION This study provides first of its kind national-level evidence on the types (plastic, paper, foil and filter) and quantity of waste potentially generated by use of tobacco products in India. Similar studies from other LMICs can serve to raise consciousness about many negative environmental impacts of tobacco products and need for policies to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Kumar Jain
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- School of Public Health, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Pankaj Bhardwaj
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- School of Public Health, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Nitin Kumar Joshi
- School of Public Health, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prashant Kumar Singh
- Division of Preventive Oncology and Population Health, WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Smokeless Tobacco, ICMR - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Pranay Lal
- Tobacco Control Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Shivam Kapoor
- Tobacco Control Department, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, New Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Manoj Kumar Gupta
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- School of Public Health, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Akhil Dhanesh Goel
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prem Prakash Sharma
- Department of Community Medicine and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Shalini Singh
- WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub on Smokeless Tobacco, ICMR - National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
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Shakya S, Lamichhane A, Karki P, Gurung JK, Pradhan PMS. Extent of illicit cigarette sales in Nepal: findings from a retail survey. Tob Control 2023:tc-2022-057619. [PMID: 37707833 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2022-057619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increasing the tax on cigarettes is widely considered the most effective method to reduce its consumption. However, Nepal has a low cigarette tax as policymakers in Nepal are concerned about illicit trade of cigarettes if taxes are increased. METHODS The study employed a retail survey approach used in India suitable for countries with prevalent loose cigarette sales, with improved methodology. In 2021, empty cigarette packs generated in a day's loose cigarette sales were collected directly from cigarette retailers from 23 primary sampling units covering rural/urban, geographic divisions, border/non-border to India and tobacco factory locations. The central points of each primary sampling unit were identified, and retailers were selected for the survey. A cigarette pack was classified as illicit if it had at least one of the following attributes: (a) no authentic excise duty sticker, (b) no graphic health warning, (c) no mention of 'maximum retail price/MRP' and (d) no production date, name, address and trademark. FINDINGS We collected 4307 empty cigarette packs from 1204 retailers and 0.33% of them were classified as illicit. The estimates varied across location with the highest prevalence of illicit packs in Kathmandu (1.25%). All the illicit cigarettes were imported and were high-priced brands (>90%), mostly found in urban areas and not bordering India. CONCLUSION Our estimate of the illicit cigarette market share of 0.33% suggests that the industry's statement of 25% is grossly overstated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Pranav Karki
- Nepal Development Research Institute, Lalitpur, Nepal
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