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Chewing Tobacco's Toll: 251K
Newser • • health
Key Points:
- A global study published in the Lancet estimates that chewing tobacco caused approximately 251,000 deaths worldwide in 2023, with usage remaining steady over the past three decades despite declines in cigarette smoking.
- Around 241 million people aged 15 and older used chewing tobacco in 2023, with increasing use reported in 24 countries, particularly concentrated in South Asia.
- India has the highest number of users, with 105 million people chewing tobacco and about 104,000 deaths attributed to it, primarily from stroke and cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
- The US is the only non-Asian country in the top 10 for chewing tobacco use, with 5.9 million users of "dip."
- Researchers highlight that chewing tobacco has largely been overlooked by tobacco control efforts and remains socially acceptable in some regions, especially among women, necessitating targeted policies to reduce its use.
