About 3.25 lakh Indians die every year because of second-hand smoke, health experts have said. They cited a new study in The Lancet Public Health. The experts spoke at a webinar organised by Tobacco Free India on October 2.

The day marked 18 years since India’s smoke-free public places rules began. Former NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul said exposure has fallen over time. In 1990, 43 per cent of Indians were exposed to second-hand smoke.

The share is now 31 per cent. But population growth keeps the absolute burden high. The study estimates 444 million Indians were exposed in 2023.

It attributes 3,25,600 deaths to such exposure. About 1.5 lakh of the dead were women and 1.75 lakh were men. Globally, 1.7 million deaths occur from second-hand smoke each year.

AIIMS rheumatology head Dr Uma Kumar said women and children face the most risk. They often cannot control their surroundings. Former ICMR chief Dr V M Katoch said passive smoking harms the lungs and other organs.

The experts called for 100 per cent smoke-free public places.