UNMASKING TOBACCO: INDIA'S WAR ON A GLOBAL KILLER

The prevalence of tobacco use is either declining or staying the same in most areas. However, rising tobacco use in some areas and the possibility of growth in others pose a danger to the advancements made in tobacco control worldwide.

- Dr. Sujith Varghese Abraham

The use of tobacco has evolved drastically from its initial gifting status to a global habit, owing much to the many historical events that influenced the consumption of the leaf. Christopher Columbus introduced tobacco to Europe after discovering its value during his first visit to Native America, where Indigenous Americans had been smoking it for over two millennia for both medicinal and religious purposes. The Industrial Revolution further globalized the use of tobacco as a commercial commodity.

The prevalence of cigarettes peaked during the World Wars, when soldiers' meals and rations included cigarettes among other essential supplies. By the 1920s, companies were marketing cigarette use, feminizing the habit with slogans like 'Mild as May', tripling the number of cigarette consumers globally.

Thus, what was once a cultural artefact has today become one of the most profitable yet health-deteriorating industries in modern history, spanning countries, consumer demographics, and economic systems.

Questions about the negative impacts of tobacco usage arose as early as the 17th century, but solid substantiating evidence only came about in 1964 in the U.S. Surgeon General's report, which confirmed the link between smoking and lung cancer. Since the 1970s, tobacco manufacturers have been legally required to print statutory health warnings on their products and packaging.

By the mid-20th century, tobacco maintained its dominance like a modern-day Alexander the Great. Although suspicions about tobacco's health risks existed as early as the 17th century, definitive evidence only emerged in 1964 through the U.S. Surgeon General's report, which confirmed the link between smoking and lung cancer. From the 1970s onward, tobacco manufacturers were legally required to print health warnings on their products.