Chewing tobacco contributed to an estimated 251,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with India among the countries accounting for a major share of the global health burden associated with the habit, according to a new study published in The Lancet Global Health.
The research, based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, estimated that around 241 million people globally used chewing tobacco in 2023. The analysis covered 204 countries and territories and examined trends from 1990 to 2023.
According to the researchers, around 90 per cent of the global health burden linked to chewing tobacco was concentrated in 10 countries, including India. South Asia was identified as the major centre of chewing tobacco use and its associated health burden.
The study also found that chewing tobacco use peaked among people aged 60 to 64 years. Researchers examined chewing tobacco separately from other forms of smokeless tobacco to assess its specific contribution to deaths and disease.
The findings highlight the continuing health impact of chewing tobacco, particularly in regions where its use remains widespread. The researchers said the estimates provide a detailed picture of the burden associated with chewing tobacco and can help inform public health efforts aimed at reducing its use.
The Global Burden of Disease Study is a large international research programme that tracks health outcomes and risk factors across countries and over time. The latest GBD 2023 study covers 204 countries and territories and provides estimates through 2023.
