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Karnataka Fights TB, Tobacco Use with Integrated Strategy
24 May
Summary
- Tobacco users are almost twice as likely to develop active TB.
- Over 22.8% of adults in Karnataka use tobacco.
- Less than 1.3% of tobacco users access cessation services.
In a significant public health initiative, the State Tobacco Control Cell in Karnataka organized a divisional-level workshop focused on integrating tuberculosis (TB) elimination with tobacco control measures. This event, held ahead of World No Tobacco Day 2026, brought together various health officials from the Mysuru division.
The workshop underscored the critical link between tobacco use and TB, with data indicating that tobacco users face almost double the risk of developing active TB. Continued tobacco consumption significantly elevates the risk of treatment failure, relapse, and mortality among TB patients.
Statistics revealed that over 22.8% of Karnataka's adult population uses tobacco, amounting to approximately 9.3 to 9.4 million individuals. Alarmingly, less than 1.3% currently access tobacco cessation services, highlighting a substantial gap in care. The workshop equipped district officers with strategies to improve these services.
Programmes are being rolled out statewide to ensure all TB patients are screened for tobacco use and offered cessation support. The ultimate goal is to achieve a "tobacco-free and TB-free Karnataka," emphasizing coordinated action for lasting public health outcomes.
