Explanation:

Data released by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) India report shows that the state of Rajasthan has the highest tobacco consumption among states/Union Territories in northern India.

Not only men, but also women consume tobacco in different forms. NFHS-5 India report shows 6.9% of women in the state consume tobacco, while 41.9% of their male counterparts consume tobacco, which is the highest in 9 UTs/States in north India.

However, in comparison to all the three states in central India-  Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh mentioned in the report, the consumption of tobacco in Rajasthan is  still lower.

In Madhya Pradesh, the consumption of tobacco among men is 46.4%, in Uttar Pradesh it is 44% and in Chhattisgarh, 43.1% of men consume tobacco.

Among women, 17.3% women in Chhattisgarh, 10.3% in Madhya Pradesh and 8.5% of women in Uttar Pradesh consume tobacco.

Over the past few years, tobacco consumption in the state has reduced significantly, earning the state government’s ‘strong anti-tobacco policies’ praise from the World Health Organization.

As per Global Adult Tobacco Survey results, the number of tobacco users in Rajasthan fell from 13.5 million in 2009-10 to 12.6 million to 2016-17.