In the realm of public health, a paradigm shift is underway as advocates and policymakers in India reassess the nation’s approach to tobacco control. At the forefront of this movement is Lakshmi Ramamurthy, Honorary Trustee at the Centre for Public Policy Research, who champions the adoption of harm reduction strategies as a viable alternative to blanket bans.
Ramamurthy’s call for reform gains traction in the aftermath of the Conference of the Parties tenth session (COP10), a global gathering in Panama where the discourse on tobacco control extended beyond traditional methods. With a spotlight on innovative technologies like e-cigarettes, COP10 emphasized the potential of harm reduction in curbing tobacco-related harm.
India’s tobacco landscape, characterized by soaring healthcare costs and staggering mortality rates, is ripe for transformation. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, cessation rates remain stagnant, prompting a reevaluation of existing policies.