New data from World of Statistics highlights a worrying trend: 42% of Indian men smoke, placing India 13th globally. Asian countries dominate the chart, with Indonesia (70.5%) and Myanmar (70.2%) leading the way, followed by Bangladesh (60.6%), Chile (49.2%), and China (47.7%).

Although not the highest, India’s smoking rate is still higher than developed nations like France (36%), South Korea (38.2%), and UAE (35.6%), which have successfully implemented tobacco control measures. Experts emphasize that India’s challenge extends beyond cigarettes to include bidis and chewing tobacco, which carry significant health risks.

Despite anti-tobacco laws, health warnings, and public education campaigns, rural and low-income populations remain particularly vulnerable. Without stronger preventive measures, India risks rising rates of cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.

The takeaway: while many Western nations reduce smoking, Asian countries — especially India — continue to battle nicotine addiction, making targeted interventions critical for public health.