Over one in ten Indian families could get more money by quitting tobacco. This means they can buy more food, education, and healthcare. Over 20 million families could be helped.

Researchers looked at data from over 260,000 Indian families. They saw how much money families spent on tobacco, including cigarettes and other products.

The poorest families spent 6.4% of their money on tobacco. Richer families spent less, at 2%. Researchers used a special scale to compare family spending.

City and country families have different tobacco habits. Country families spent more on tobacco, at 6.6%. This is because of cultural and social differences.

If Indian families quit tobacco, 11% could earn more money. This is 20 million families. Country families would be helped more, at 12%.

Quitting tobacco could help 12 million poor families earn more. Some could even jump two or three income levels. Five million middle-class families could also be helped.

The World Health Organization says tobacco is bad for global development. It causes cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Many tobacco users live in poor countries.

In India, 29% of people aged 15 and over use tobacco. This is over 260 million people. Many use smokeless tobacco, and over 1 million die each year from tobacco.

Researchers say quitting tobacco is good for health and economy. It can help families spend more on food, healthcare, and education.

The study does not say exactly how much money families can save by quitting tobacco. But it shows that quitting can help families earn more.

The researchers are careful with their findings.

Source: Tata Institute