India, located in ASIA comes under the category of developing nations with a population of 1.18 billion. The nation is estimated to have 1/3rd of the world's poor population with 41% living below international poverty line of $1.25 a day. World bank, too, has estimated that 80% of India's population lives below $2 a day. Despite such figures of high population and poor per capita income, the number of cigarettes purchased is high in the country.


A recent survey shows that there are about 94 million smokers in India. Of these, about 14 million are ill from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the fourth leading cause of adult deaths in India and it has been found to be mostly caused by smoking. Almost 5 percent of women and one third of all men aged between 30 and 69 in India smoke.

Aside from the conventional cigarettes, they also smoke 'bidis'. Bidis are made by wrapping one quarter of the content of a conventional cigarette in temburni plant leaf. They are usually smaller than normal cigarettes. Smoking bidis has been found to cause deaths faster; it reduces about 6years for men and 8 years for women.


As a matter of fact it was estimated that HukkAH or waterpipe where The tobacco smoked is referred to as narghile or sheesha in the US and Canada can be dated way back, and its initial traces have been found in the North Western provinces of India alongside the border of Pakistan in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat.


WHY DO PEOPLE SMOKE?

An American based psychologist called Ernist dichter, "father of motivational research", in his theory "psychology of everyday living" gave various reasons of smoking.

1.SMOKING IS FUN – Peer-pressure is one of the factors. And it can be traced to the universal desire for self-expression.

2.SMOKING IS REWARDING.
Where people treat smoking as a reward after accomplishing some work or something challenges.

3.SMOKING IS PLEASURE.
Where smoking gives erotic oral pleasure to sensitive oral areas

4.SMOKING IS- AN HOURGLASS
Many people smoke simply to wile away time. You will find a lot of smokers at waiting areas such as airports, railway stations.

5.SMOKING AS A PARTNER
This might be an addition to the previous point. Lot of people tend to smoke while they are alone, this negates the feeling of loneliness.

6.SMOKING FOR MEMORIES
Many people smoke while they are thinking of a past event or a person, or just some memory.

7.SMOKING TO HELP THINKING.
Many people smoke while they are under pressure and they need to think hard. Smoking does help concentration, but just for a while, as it provides a sort of "smoke screen" that helps to shut out distractions.

8.SMOKING TO RELAX.
Smoking a cigarette can be very relaxing as well. Many people smoke simply to soothe themselves.

9.SMOKING TO FORGET TROUBLES.
If there is a nagging thought, smokers tend to smoke to get rid of all the troubles.

10.HOW MANY A DAY?.
Some people smoke just to keep the numbers going. They think smoking a certain amount of cigarettes every day


THE FUTURE AROUND SMOKE
It is estimated that post 2010, there will be a million people dying every year because of smoking. And, therefore, India will face a smoking catastrophe unless things are under control.