Illegal Sales Near Schools, Weak Enforcement and Peer Pressure Continue to Push Thousands of Young Indians Towards Addiction
By EX7 News Investigative Desk | Public Health Investigation
New Delhi | Special Report
India is fighting a hidden public health battle that unfolds every day outside schools, colleges, bus stands, markets and residential neighbourhoods. Despite strict laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors and banning tobacco vendors within 100 yards of educational institutions, cigarettes, bidis, gutkha, khaini and other tobacco products remain easily accessible to children and teenagers.
Public health experts warn that what begins as curiosity, peer pressure or an attempt to imitate friends often develops into lifelong nicotine addiction. Cannabis (ganja) misuse among adolescents, though governed by different laws, also raises concerns because early use has been linked to adverse effects on brain development and mental health.
A Deadly Habit That Claims Over 13 Lakh Lives Every Year
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), tobacco use causes nearly 13.5 lakh deaths annually in India—around 3,500 to 3,600 deaths every day. More than 26.7 crore Indians aged 15 years and above use tobacco in some form, making India one of the world’s largest tobacco-consuming nations.
Children Are Still Getting Tobacco Despite the Law
The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003 prohibits the sale of tobacco to minors and within 100 yards of educational institutions. Yet implementation remains inconsistent.
Research covering 61,748 schools across four Indian states found that 26.2% of schools had tobacco-selling shops nearby in violation of the law, highlighting major enforcement gaps.
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2019 found that 8.5% of school-going children aged 13–15 years were using tobacco in some form. The survey also showed that many children begin using tobacco at an alarmingly young age.
Easy Access, Weak Enforcement
Despite legal restrictions:
- Tobacco continues to be sold near schools and colleges.
- Small retail outlets often fail to verify buyers’ age.
- Loose cigarettes remain widely available, making products affordable for minors.
- Point-of-sale displays and indirect marketing continue to attract young consumers.
Government surveys have shown that many underage smokers are still able to purchase cigarettes from paan shops and kiosks despite legal prohibitions.
Peer Pressure Is the First Trap
Doctors and psychologists say addiction rarely begins with dependence—it begins with imitation.
Teenagers frequently experiment after seeing classmates, seniors or influencers smoke. Social media, films and online content can reinforce the false belief that smoking represents confidence, maturity or social status. Once nicotine addiction develops, quitting becomes extremely difficult.
The Hidden Cost to Families and Society
Beyond lung cancer, tobacco contributes to:
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Oral and throat cancers
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Reduced productivity
- Mental health challenges
- Financial hardship for families due to prolonged medical treatment
India also bears a significant economic burden from tobacco-related diseases and healthcare costs.
Is Enforcement Keeping Pace?
While authorities conduct awareness campaigns and enforcement drives under the National Tobacco Control Programme, health advocates argue that stronger implementation is needed. Regular inspections around educational institutions, stricter penalties for illegal sales to minors, tighter monitoring of retail outlets, and community participation are essential to reduce youth access to tobacco.
Editorial Analysis
India has enacted robust tobacco-control laws, but legislation alone cannot defeat addiction. Unless illegal sales near schools are stopped, age-verification norms are enforced, and awareness programmes become more effective, another generation risks falling victim to nicotine dependence.
The real question is no longer whether tobacco kills—it unquestionably does. The pressing issue is whether society will act decisively before more children progress from curiosity to addiction, and from addiction to irreversible disease.
Disclaimer: This report is intended to promote public health awareness. It does not stigmatize individuals affected by addiction. Those struggling with tobacco or substance dependence should seek professional medical advice and cessation support.
