PMK chief Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enact historic legislation banning tobacco products for those born in 2009 or later. Outlined in a detailed letter, the plan seeks to build a tobacco-free India by gradually eliminating access for younger generations, addressing a crisis that claims millions of lives yearly.
The letter paints a stark picture of tobacco’s grip on India. Approximately 267 million people use tobacco, fueling over 1.3 million deaths each year and overwhelming public health resources. Anbumani emphasizes that a generational prohibition would break this cycle, reducing addiction and illness burdens over time.
He references the UK’s innovative approach, where the legal smoking age rises annually, ensuring those born after a certain year can never legally buy tobacco. India, with its massive population and rising non-communicable diseases, needs an equivalent framework. Tobacco drives nearly half of all cancers here, underscoring the urgency.
Reflecting on his own legacy as Health Minister, Anbumani recalls landmark reforms: public smoking bans and pictorial warnings that transformed public perception. Yet, these were just the start. Now, a comprehensive ban is essential to secure long-term gains.
As debates on public health intensify, this proposal positions India at the forefront of global anti-tobacco efforts, promising a healthier, more productive population.
