Expert Emphasises Early Action and Safer Ways to Quit Smoking

June, 2026 | Indore:Indore is increasingly witnessing a worrying shift in tobacco use patterns, earlier age of initiation among school-going children and adolescents, raising serious long-term public health concerns. Recent discussions at district-level tobacco control workshops have highlighted that 3–9% of students aged 13–15 in Madhya Pradesh are already using tobacco, as per findings from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS).What’s more concerning is anecdotal evidence from schools and enforcement agencies suggesting that access near educational institutions continues despite regulations, exposing children to tobacco at a highly impressionable age. Health experts in Indore warn that this early exposure is not just experimentation; it is the beginning of long-term nicotine dependence.

“What we are seeing in Indore is a clear shift; children are getting exposed to nicotine earlier than before. When this happens during adolescence, it impacts brain development and creates stronger addiction pathways. By the time these individuals reach adulthood, quitting becomes significantly more difficult,”said Dr Rajvardhan Bhanwar, MBBS, MD (AIIMS, Delhi), Mindful Brain Clinic, Indore

Globally, evidence shows that most adult smokers begin before the age of 18, reinforcing the urgency of early intervention.Despite increased awareness, quit rates remain low. Many young users attempt to quit but relapse due to withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and intense cravings.

Experts are calling for a more scientific approach to quitting. “There is a widespread misconception that nicotine itself is what causes cancer. In reality, the biggest harm comes from the toxic chemicals released when tobacco is burned or chewed. Nicotine is what drives addiction, but the delivery through tobacco causes the damage. Nicotine Replacement Therapy through nicotine patches or gums is designed specifically for smoking cessation. It provides controlled, pharmaceutical-grade nicotine without harmful toxins, helping individuals manage cravings while gradually reducing dependence.Importantly, for young users who have already started smoking, early intervention with NRT, under medical guidance, can significantly improve quitting outcomes and prevent lifelong addiction,” said Dr Rajvardhan Bhanwar

As Indore strengthens its tobacco control efforts, the focus is clear: protect youth, delay initiation, and enable quitting early through safer, evidence-based solutions like NRT.