Tobacco use found among children as young as 10 in Nepal, study warns

KATHMANDU: A growing concern has emerged in Nepal as recent findings show that even children under the age of 12 are being exposed to and using tobacco products, according to a study presented on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day.

At an event organized by the Department of Health Services, researcher Kusum Shahi from the Nepal Health Research Council revealed that a nationwide study conducted across 50 schools in all seven provinces—covering 3,000 students from grades 7 to 10—found tobacco use among children as young as 10 years old.

The study further indicated alarming addiction patterns, with 57 percent of users reportedly consuming cigarettes immediately after waking up, while 74 percent of users had attempted to quit but were unable to do so.

Officials warned that tobacco companies are increasingly targeting adolescents by introducing flavored products such as hookah, vapes, and other sweetened nicotine variants to make them more appealing.

Health and Food Safety Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Shrikrishna Shrestha said such products are contributing to rising addiction among teenagers and stressed the need for stronger control measures and public awareness campaigns.

He emphasized strict enforcement of laws regulating tobacco products and warned of the long-term health and economic burden caused by tobacco-related diseases. “A tobacco-free campaign can save huge costs spent on treating heart, lung, kidney diseases and cancer. Everyone must take this seriously,” he said.

Acting Director General of the Department of Health Services Dr. Anuj Bhattachan described tobacco as a “social poison” and called for collective action to curb its use.

Similarly, Director General of the Department of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine Dr. Basudev Upadhyaya urged families to help members quit tobacco use if present in the household.

Health advocates including Shantaraj Mulmi, Dr. Jayakumar Gurung, and Jyoti Baniya also stressed the need for a strong nationwide campaign to prevent youth from falling into nicotine addiction.

The event was held under the slogan: “Let’s dispel the illusion of tobacco and nicotine products, stay away from addiction, and choose a healthy life.”

Health experts noted that tobacco consumption is responsible for more than 39,000 deaths annually in Nepal and is a major cause of cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory illness, and diabetes.