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Abstract
Introduction The direct morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco are well documented, but such products also contribute to a range of environmental pollutants resulting from tobacco product waste. No previous studies have yet quantified tobacco product waste in a low-income and middle-income country (LMIC). This study estimates the potential annual waste generated due to consumption of smoked and smokeless tobacco products in India and its states.
Methodology We systematically collected samples of smoked and smokeless tobacco products from 33 districts of 17 Indian states/union territories. Stratified weights of plastic, paper, foil and filter packaging components, and gross empty package weights were recorded. Prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use at national and state-level estimates was derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016–2017) to quantify waste potentially generated by tobacco products.
Results We included 222 brands of tobacco products (70 cigarette, 94 bidi and 58 smokeless tobacco brands) in the final analysis. A total of 170 331 (±29 332) tonnes of waste was estimated to be generated annually, out of which 43.2% was plastic, 3.6% was foil and 0.8% was filter. Two-thirds of the overall waste was contributed by smokeless products alone. Maximum waste was generated in Uttar Pradesh (20.9%; 35 723.7±6151.6 tonnes), Maharashtra (8.9%; 15 116.84±2603.12 tonnes) and West Bengal (8.6%; 14 636.32±2520.37 tonnes).
Conclusion This study provides first of its kind national-level evidence on the types (plastic, paper, foil and filter) and quantity of waste potentially generated by use of tobacco products in India. Similar studies from other LMICs can serve to raise consciousness about many negative environmental impacts of tobacco products and need for policies to address them.
- environment
- non-cigarette tobacco products
- packaging and labelling
- public policy
- low/middle income country
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. All relevant data to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. Photographs of segregated weighing of different products and their packaging and filter components are available in an online repository, freely available on request.
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- environment
- non-cigarette tobacco products
- packaging and labelling
- public policy
- low/middle income country
Data availability statement
Data are available upon reasonable request. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. All relevant data to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. Photographs of segregated weighing of different products and their packaging and filter components are available in an online repository, freely available on request.
Footnotes
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Contributors YKJ was involved in conceptualisation, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, visualisation and manuscript writing. PB was involved in conceptualisation, funding acquisition, project administration, resources, validation and review. NKJ was involved in data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, funding acquisition, validation, review and editing. PKS was involved in formal analysis, investigation, methodology, software use, visualisation, review and editing. PL was involved in conceptualisation, methodology, project administration, resources, validation, review and editing. SK was involved in project administration, resources, validation, review and editing. MKG was involved in data curation, analysis, funding acquisition, supervision and review. ADG was involved in data curation, analysis, funding acquisition, supervision and review. PPS was involved in analysis, formal analysis, software use, visualisation, write-up and review. SS was involved in supervision, project administration, validation, review and editing. PB serves as the guarantor for this manuscript and accepts full responsibility for the finished work and the conduct of the study. PB had full access to the data, and controlled the final decision to publish.
Funding This study was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies (India-28-10).
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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