Tobacco sales near schools rampant despite prohibition in J&K

Despite a series of legal directives aimed at curbing tobacco use, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) continues to battle the widespread consumption of tobacco, especially among its youth. The enforcement of existing bans, such as the prohibition on selling tobacco products within 100 meters of schools and the sale of loose cigarettes, remains weak, allowing the tobacco crisis to worsen in the region. This ongoing challenge poses a serious health concern.
Recent data reveals alarming levels of tobacco consumption in J&K. The region’s usage rate stands at a concerning 20.8%, nearly double the national average of 10.7%. Among men, 32% use tobacco, primarily in the form of cigarettes, while the rate among women is a mere 1%. The situation is particularly dire in rural districts like Kupwara, where tobacco use exceeds 56% of the population. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable. A study conducted by the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar found that 23% of adolescents are smokers, with 29% having experimented with tobacco. Peer pressure, parental smoking habits, and portrayals of smoking in movies are significant influences on these trends. More troubling still, 16% of these adolescents are spending over Rs 1,000 a month on tobacco products, often funded by their parents.
Tobacco consumption plays a key role in the rise of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). J&K has an alarmingly high COPD prevalence of 16-18%, compared to the national average of 5-7%. Research from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has also revealed that J&K faces some of the highest disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to tobacco consumption. Smokers in the region are 2.5 times more likely to develop tuberculosis than non-smokers, further underscoring the severe health risks associated with tobacco use.
Beyond its public health impact, tobacco use imposes a significant economic burden on the region. It is estimated that J&K spends Rs 600 crore annually on tobacco products, putting strain on both household finances and healthcare resources. Despite legal restrictions, the sale of loose cigarettes remains rampant, making tobacco products more accessible and affordable, particularly to the youth.
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which was enacted in 2003, serves as the main legal framework for tobacco control in India. It bans smoking in public places, prohibits the sale of tobacco products within 100 meters of educational institutions, and restricts tobacco advertising. However, enforcement of these provisions in J&K has been weak, and violations continue unabated across the region.
To combat this growing issue, the Jammu & Kashmir Tobacco Control Program, under the Department of Health & Medical Education, has implemented several measures. These include active monitoring and fines for violations. From April 2023 to March 2024, enforcement agencies recorded 3,151 violations, issuing fines totaling Rs 2,12,925. In a subsequent period (March to December 2024), 2,360 more violations were recorded, resulting in Rs 1,51,252 in fines.
“We are committed to enforcing a complete ban on tobacco use in Jammu and Kashmir,” said Dr. Jehangir Bakshi, Director of the Jammu & Kashmir Tobacco Control Program. “To support this, we have developed an Android application to assess the tobacco-free status of educational institutions across the Kashmir division. Over 4,500 institutions have completed the assessment, ensuring they meet the guidelines.”
The department has also introduced another mobile application that allows the public to report violations of COTPA-2003 in public spaces and near educational institutions. Dr. Bakshi added that district-level coordination meetings, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, are held quarterly to ensure the effective implementation of the National Tobacco Control Program (NTCP). These efforts have seen 80% of educational institutions in the region successfully implementing tobacco-free guidelines. State-level coordination meetings are also held twice a year to reinforce these initiatives.
Moreover, a variety of awareness programs have been launched, including 807 street plays, nukkad nataks (street theater), health talks, and 2,646 school rallies to educate the public, especially students, about the dangers of tobacco use.
In a recent push, the Srinagar Police conducted an anti-smoking campaign in Lal Chowk, one of the city’s busiest commercial areas. The campaign aimed at educating the public and ensuring compliance with the smoking ban in public places was widely appreciated by locals. However, many stressed the importance of consistent, long-term anti-smoking efforts.
“Tobacco use will continue unless enforcement agencies maintain this initiative regularly,” said Altaf Ahmed, a resident of Lal Chowk. “It’s crucial that they don’t make this a one-time action but ensure sustained campaigns to make a real impact.”
While the fight against tobacco use in J&K is ongoing, experts emphasiSe the need for a more comprehensive and sustained approach. Successful tobacco control in the region will require consistent enforcement, widespread public education, and active participation from all sectors of society—parents, teachers, and local communities alike. (Rising Kashmir)