‘Smoking single biggest cause of lung cancer in Valley’
Srinagar, March 14: Beneath the misty mornings and crowded marketplaces of Jammu and Kashmir, another haze is becoming increasingly visible — cigarette smoke. From roadside tea stalls to busy city markets, smoking has become a routine part of daily life, turning the Union Territory into one of the country’s fastest-growing cigarette markets.
Industry estimates suggest that tobacco products worth nearly Rs 800 crore are consumed annually in Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the enormous scale of the smoking culture that has taken root across the region. Cigarettes account for a major share of this consumption, with millions of sticks sold every week across both urban and rural areas.
The supply chain feeding this demand is equally vast. Cigarettes are transported into Jammu and Kashmir from manufacturing and distribution hubs in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, before reaching wholesalers and retailers across the Valley and Jammu region.
Traders say the inflow is constant.
A Srinagar-based distributor said two to three trucks carrying cigarette cartons arrive in the Kashmir Valley every week. Each truck carries thousands of cartons, and every carton contains hundreds of packs, translating into millions of cigarette sticks entering the market regularly.
“Demand has grown significantly over the past decade. Cigarettes sell very quickly now compared to earlier years,” the dealer said, adding that urban centres such as Srinagar, Baramulla and Anantnag account for a large share of the sales.
Retailers in Srinagar’s downtown area say cigarettes remain one of the most frequently purchased items in their shops. Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, a shopkeeper in Nowhatta, said customers keep returning throughout the day.
“People smoke during tea breaks, after meals or while chatting with friends. Many customers buy single cigarettes instead of full packets,” Bhat said.
Another shopkeeper from Khanyar, Ghulam Nabi Dar, said cigarette sales rarely slow down, especially during the winter months. “In winters people sit longer at tea stalls and smoke more. Even late in the evening customers come looking for cigarettes,” Dar said.
Health surveys underline the scale of tobacco consumption in the Union Territory.
According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS-2), nearly 23.7 per cent of adults in Jammu and Kashmir consume tobacco, while more than 20 per cent are smokers.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) also indicates that around 32 per cent of men in the UT use tobacco, highlighting the widespread nature of the habit. Medical experts warn that the growing consumption is already taking a serious toll on public health.
Noted oncologist Dr Sameer Kaul said smoking has become the primary factor behind the rising number of lung cancer cases in Kashmir.
“Smoking remains the single biggest cause of lung cancer in the Valley. We are seeing an increasing number of patients with smoking-related cancers,” Dr Kaul said, adding that prolonged tobacco use significantly increases the risk of multiple life-threatening diseases.
Doctors also warn that the combined effect of cigarette smoke, indoor heating practices and rising pollution is worsening respiratory problems among residents. Despite awareness campaigns and anti-tobacco regulations, cigarettes remain easily accessible across Jammu and Kashmir. Small kiosks and tea stalls frequently sell single sticks, making the habit affordable and difficult to curb.
As truckloads of cigarette cartons continue to enter the region and demand shows little sign of slowing, the thin trails of smoke drifting across markets, streets and tea stalls have become an increasingly familiar — and worrying — part of everyday life in the Valley.
