19 October 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : India’s tobacco-related cancer burden extends beyond smoking, with smokeless tobacco products contributing significantly to cancers of the mouth and lips, according to new research. The findings highlight differences in tobacco-related cancer risks across regions, between men and women, and among different cancer types.
The study, published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, examined the relationship between tobacco consumption and head and neck cancers in India. Researchers analysed patient records and tobacco-use estimates to assess the proportion of cancers associated with smoking and smokeless tobacco.
One of the major findings was that smokeless tobacco accounted for an estimated 57.3% of mouth cancer cases among men. Among women, tobacco use in any form was estimated to account for 73.4% of mouth cancers. These figures highlight the importance of addressing all forms of tobacco consumption rather than focusing exclusively on cigarettes and bidis.
Smokeless Tobacco Linked to Mouth Cancer
India has a wide range of smokeless tobacco products, including gutkha, khaini and chewing tobacco. These products can expose the tissues inside the mouth to harmful and cancer-causing substances.
The study estimated that smokeless tobacco accounted for 61.8% of lip cancers, 30.7% of tongue cancers and 57.3% of mouth cancers among men. Among women, the estimated proportions were 69% for lip cancer, 22% for tongue cancer and 68% for mouth cancer.
The findings suggest that smokeless tobacco remains an important public health concern. People may underestimate its risks because these products do not produce smoke, but smokeless tobacco can still expose users to carcinogens and increase the risk of serious diseases.
Smoking Also Contributes to Head and Neck Cancers
The research also examined cancers affecting the throat and voice box. Among men, smoking was estimated to account for 40.2% of oropharyngeal cancers, 45.7% of hypopharyngeal cancers and 38.4% of laryngeal cancers.
These estimates show that tobacco-related risks differ according to the product used and the part of the body affected. Smoking and smokeless tobacco therefore require attention through comprehensive prevention and awareness programmes.
Regional Differences Across India
The tobacco-related cancer burden was not uniform across the country. Researchers identified regional variations in the estimated contribution of smokeless tobacco and smoking to different cancer types.
In several Central, Eastern and Northeastern areas, the estimated proportion of lip, tongue and mouth cancers associated with smokeless tobacco was particularly high among men. These differences may reflect variations in tobacco products, consumption habits and exposure patterns.
The findings indicate that tobacco-control strategies should take local circumstances into account. Awareness campaigns and cessation services may need to focus more strongly on smokeless tobacco in areas where its use is widespread.
Women Also Face Significant Risks
The study also highlighted the tobacco-related cancer burden among women. The estimated contribution of tobacco use to mouth cancers reinforces the need for prevention initiatives that reach women as well as men.
Public health programmes can help by improving awareness of the risks associated with smokeless tobacco, encouraging people to quit and making cessation support more accessible. Healthcare workers can also help identify tobacco use and guide patients towards appropriate support.
Need for Stronger Prevention and Early Detection
The findings underline the importance of reducing tobacco consumption in all its forms. Prevention measures, enforcement of tobacco-control regulations, public education and accessible quitting services can help reduce exposure to harmful substances.
People should also seek medical evaluation for persistent mouth ulcers, unexplained lumps, difficulty swallowing or lasting changes in their voice. Such symptoms do not necessarily indicate cancer, but they should not be ignored.
The study’s estimates require careful interpretation because the research used hospital-based patient records alongside population-level tobacco-use data. The figures represent estimated proportions associated with tobacco exposure and do not prove that tobacco caused every individual cancer case.
Overall, the research highlights the need for India to address smoking and smokeless tobacco together. Tailoring prevention strategies to regional patterns, sex and cancer type could help strengthen efforts to reduce the country’s tobacco-related disease burden.