Tobacco, supari and alcohol: the facts

These are among the biggest causes of cancer in India.

Tobacco in every form

• Cigarettes, bidi, gutka, khaini, zarda and paan with tobacco
• All of them cause cancer
• Supari (areca nut) on its own also causes cancer

Alcohol

• Alcohol causes at least 7 types of cancer
• WHO says there is no safe amount for health
• Less is better; not drinking at all is healthiest

Help to quit, free

• National Tobacco Quitline: 1800-11-2356
• Quitting at any age lowers your risk
• Ask your doctor for help

Sources

• WHO: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (2023)
• IARC Monographs (areca nut, smokeless tobacco)
• National Tobacco Control Programme, India