Tobacco endgame in India

Abstract

The epidemic of tobacco use persists as a leading risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and impoverishment worldwide. Globally, more nations are undertaking measures for moving beyond “tobacco control” to a “tobacco-free world” under the unified theme of “tobacco endgame.” This concept of endgame includes an array of measures addressing both demand side and supply-side strategies for phasing out all commercial tobacco products within a specified time period. Globally, there have been many successes from countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Netherlands, Finland, Ireland, Canada, France, and California. The Indian subcontinent has also been stepping up to progress the endgame concept and has been displaying exemplary leadership in the tobacco control. It has several national and subnational achievements to its credit. However, the tobacco endgame requires collaboration and capacity building of several sectors and stakeholders to align their activities with the tobacco endgame goals and vision of the Government of India. Besides, acceptance of endgame as a political objective is perhaps the first requirement for tobacco endgame in addition to program and community-level strategies. The need of the hour calls for a robust unified approach that engages all the stakeholders and involves increased investment in tobacco control by the country's governments and region.