American Cancer Society Commends India for the Implementation of Its Smoke-Free Law

The American Cancer Society applauds the government of India for their leadership on the implementation of the country’s smoke-free law. The law, which took effect on October 2, will ensure that workers are no longer risking their lives by being exposed to secondhand smoke while at work. The American Cancer Society is committed to working with our partners to reduce the cancer burden in India, where tobacco use remains the single leading cause of cancer in the country. The Society has worked closely with tobacco control advocates in India for almost a decade, helping them to establish advocacy principles and to work cooperatively toward the smoke-free law. In addition, the Society held key workshops that were instrumental to the passage of the smoke-free law. This work with tobacco control advocates is one of several ways in which the American Cancer Society is engaging with civil society in India to fight cancer and tobacco use.