WHO Global Tobacco Report 2025: India’s MPOWER Success & Exam Insights

Why This Matters for UPSC
Global reports like the WHO’s 2025 Tobacco Epidemic study offer critical insights into health governance and India’s policy effectiveness – a recurring theme in UPSC prelims and mains. With tobacco claiming 8+ million lives yearly (7 million direct users), understanding control strategies is essential.
Key Findings from the Report

MPOWER Strategy Gains Ground:
110 countries now implement WHO’s MPOWER measures, covering 62% of the global population (vs. just 9 nations in 2007).
India excels in graphic health warnings (85% pack coverage), ranking among the world’s top 10.
Only 4 countries achieved full MPOWER compliance; 40 lack best-practice policies.

India’s Standout Achievements:
Won the 2025 Bloomberg Philanthropies Award (with Mauritius, Mexico) for tobacco cessation programs.
Leader in ‘W’ (warnings) and ‘O’ (cessation support) since 2016.
First nation to regulate tobacco depiction on streaming platforms (2023 amendment).

Critical Gaps:
India’s weakest MPOWER area: tobacco taxation (low adoption).
Industry interference threatens global progress.
Global Tobacco Production Insights
Despite health campaigns, global tobacco production hit 5.8M tonnes in 2022:
Top 3 Producers:
▶️ China (2.3M tonnes)
▶️ India (769,671 tonnes)
▶️ Brazil (683,469 tonnes)
India remains the world’s #2 producer and consumer of unmanufactured tobacco.

India’s Anti-Tobacco Measures
Advertising Ban: Comprehensive TAPS (Tobacco Advertising, Promotion, Sponsorship) restrictions across TV, print, and digital media.
Entertainment Rules:
Tobacco-Free Films & TV Rules (2012) expanded to OTT platforms in 2023 – a global first.

WHO Recommendations: Strengthen point-of-sale ad bans and industry sponsorship loopholes.
UPSC-Relevance Highlight
“Reports like this contextualize India’s policy wins (awards, warnings) and challenges (taxation, production) – crucial for GS Paper 2 (governance) and Essay topics on public health.”

Sample Q&A (UPSC-Style)
Q: Which MPOWER measure has India NOT adopted effectively according to WHO 2025?
A: Raising taxes on tobacco (taxation remains least implemented).
Q: India’s graphic health warnings cover __% of tobacco packs as per WHO 2025.
A: 85% (among world’s largest).
Q: Which award did India win for tobacco cessation efforts in 2025?
A: Bloomberg Philanthropies Award in ‘O’ (offer help to quit) category.
Q: India ranks __ globally in unmanufactured tobacco production.
A: 2nd (after China, with ~769,671 tonnes).
Q: India pioneered tobacco regulation on __ through its 2023 amendment.
A: OTT/streaming platforms (first country globally).