According to the Report on Tobacco Control in India, 2004, annually eight to nine lakh deaths can be attributed to tobacco use in India, said Mr Verma.
"In addition, 50 percent of cancers in males and about 20 percent of cancers in females can be directly attributed to tobacco use," he added.
Quoting the study, Economic Burden of Tobacco Related Diseases in India, Mr Verma said: "The global economic cost attributable to tobacco use from all diseases in India in 2011, for persons aged 35-69 years, amounted to Rs.1,04,500 crore -- out if which 16 percent was direct cost and 84 percent was indirect cost."
"Banning tobacco overnight is not the solution as there are a lot of other issues that need to be addressed.
"Banning would lead to displacement of many labourers who produce tobacco products. It has to be a gradual process," he said.
