Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable illness and death around the world. According to the World Health Organization (2020), tobacco leads to over eight million deaths each year, including about 1.3 million deaths from second-hand smoke exposure. More than 1.3 billion people globally use tobacco products, which puts a significant strain on health systems and economies. India has one of the largest populations of tobacco users globally.
National surveys have shown widespread use of both smoked and smokeless tobacco products in urban and rural areas. Despite extensive tobacco control measures, such as the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP), public awareness campaigns, and quitting services, tobacco-related diseases continue to be a major public health issue. Recently, the tobacco market has seen the rise of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs). Unlike traditional cigarettes, HTPs…