ANNOUNCEMENTS
There is recent evidence of the impact of tobacco product waste on the environment including soil degradation, deforestation, effects on marine ecosystem, etc. Tobacco lifecycle is one of the most deteriorating processes in the world; it generated waste from its inception. Smoking tobacco (cigarette butts) and its impact on the environment has been studied widely however, similar facets related to smokeless tobacco have not gained much attention. This study aims to investigate the post-consumption waste generated by tobacco products and other related products. It aims to estimate the waste burden generated by the two forms of tobacco, smokeless tobacco and smoking as well as pan masala. A mixed-method approach was employed for the purpose of this study. The research utilizes the GATS data (2009-10 & 2016-17). An intensive literature review was conducted to understand the impact of tobacco product waste. It was supplemented by a primary data collection to collect samples of the most-selling tobacco products from the point of sale or the tobacco selling kiosks. Further, the average weights of these products were then calculated in order to estimate the total waste burden for the states of India. As a result, it was estimated that Uttar Pradesh along with Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal are among the high waste burden states for smoking as well as smokeless tobacco. It was also estimated that there has been a change in the percentage of waste burden across most states between 2009 and 2017.
Keywords: Waste Burden, Smokeless Tobacco, Smoking. Tobacco Product Waste.
