Every year on World No Tobacco Day, the world unites to raise awareness about the devastating health impacts of tobacco use and the deceptive tactics employed by the tobacco industry. In India, with over 253 million tobacco users—the second-highest number globally—the stakes are especially high. The tobacco industry in India continues to target young people by using bright packaging and enticing flavors to mask the deadly consequences of tobacco consumption. As we observe World No Tobacco Day 2025, themed “Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal,” it is crucial to expose these manipulative strategies and empower youth to resist the trap.
 

The New Face of Tobacco: Bright, Bold, and Deceptive

The tobacco industry in India has evolved its marketing tactics dramatically. Gone are the days of plain, unremarkable cigarette packs. Today, brightly colored, sleekly designed packaging is used to attract young consumers. These “bright products” create a false sense of safety and glamour, making tobacco use appear trendy and harmless.

Studies reveal that tobacco products are often displayed at points of sale near sweets and candies, especially in shops close to schools and playgrounds. This strategic placement ensures that children and adolescents see these products regularly, associating them with fun and positivity. The tobacco industry in India exploits this psychological influence to hook youth early, despite the well-documented health risks.

Flavors: The Sweet Trap for Youth

Flavored tobacco and vaping products are a key tool used by the tobacco industry in India to lure young users. Popular flavors like mango, menthol, and bubblegum mask the harsh taste of tobacco, making initiation easier and more appealing. This flavoring reduces throat irritation and discomfort, lowering the barriers for first-time users.
 

In India, smokeless tobacco products such as gutkha and khaini are often flavored, contributing to their widespread use among youth. Although e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products are banned in India since 2019, illegal flavored vaping products continue to circulate. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2019, 8.5% of Indian youths aged 13-15 currently use tobacco, with flavored products playing a significant role in this initiation

The Science Behind the Appeal

The tobacco industry in India employs neuromarketing techniques to exploit the brain’s reward system. Bright colors, attractive shapes, and sweet flavors stimulate dopamine release, creating pleasurable sensations that encourage repeated use. Adolescents’ brains are particularly vulnerable to nicotine’s addictive effects, increasing the risk of lifelong dependence.
 

Early nicotine exposure disrupts brain development, impairing attention, learning, and impulse control. The industry's deliberate use of bright packaging and flavors is not just marketing—it is a calculated effort to create a new generation of addicted consumers.

The Hidden Dangers Behind the Bright Packaging

Despite their appealing appearance, tobacco products carry severe health risks. Smoking and smokeless tobacco use cause cancers, heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and a host of other conditions. Contrary to popular myths, vaping is not a safe alternative; it exposes users to harmful chemicals and can lead to nicotine addiction.

The social and economic costs are equally devastating. Tobacco use drains family resources, reduces productivity, and burdens India’s healthcare system. Children exposed to tobacco smoke suffer from respiratory infections and impaired lung growth. The bright packaging conceals a dark reality that affects individuals, families, and communities.

Real Stories: Voices of Youth Who Quit or Suffered

Personal stories from Indian youth highlight the human cost behind industry statistics. Many recall being initially attracted by the flavors and packaging but soon trapped in addiction. Others share how awareness and support helped them quit, underscoring the importance of education and community action.

These voices remind us that behind every bright pack is a life at risk and a story worth saving.
 

Empowering The Youth On Resisting the Trap

• Awareness & knowledge is the first defense against the tobacco industry in India’s manipulative tactics. Youth should be educated to recognize deceptive marketing, including flavored products and eye-catching packaging. Next time you see a glossy vape ad or a pack that looks like it belongs in a fashion store, ask: Why are they trying so hard to sell this to me? Look for red flags like “limited edition” designs or flavors mimicking your favorite snacks. By questioning these tactics, you take back control. Share what you learn with friends—awareness spreads fast.
   
• Building resilience involves peer support, promoting tobacco-free lifestyles, and engaging in positive activities like sports and arts. Schools and communities must integrate tobacco education and organize awareness campaigns, especially around World No Tobacco Day.
   
• Several helplines and organizations offer support for quitting tobacco, including government initiatives aligned with World No Tobacco Day efforts. Empowering youth with knowledge and resources can break the cycle of addiction.

World No Tobacco Day 2025 (May 31) - Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal

On May 31, 2025, the world will mark World No Tobacco Day under the powerful theme “Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal” (WHO, 2025). This global campaign, led by the World Health Organization, shines a spotlight on how tobacco and nicotine industries use manipulative tactics—like colorful packaging, over 16,000 unique flavors, and glamorized marketing—to target youth and mask the deadly consequences of their products. Globally, 37 million children aged 13-15 use tobacco, and in regions like the Eastern Mediterranean, smoking rates among adolescent boys reach up to 43% (WHO EMRO, 2025). In India, where youth tobacco use remains a crisis, this theme resonates deeply.
 

The campaign calls for action to break the illusion of “fun” and “safe” tobacco products. It urges governments to ban flavors, enforce plain packaging, and restrict digital marketing, which has reached over 3.4 billion views on social media (WHO, 2025). By joining this movement, you can amplify the message through awareness rallies, social media posts with hashtags like #TobaccoExposed, or local school workshops. As Dr. Adriana Blanco Marquizo of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control said, “The industry’s tactics are shameless manipulation of our children for profit.” Let’s make May 31 a turning point for a tobacco-free future.

Call to Action

This World No Tobacco Day, take a stand against the tobacco industry in India’s dark intentions hidden behind bright products. Share this information with friends and family, participate in awareness campaigns, and advocate for stronger tobacco control policies.

Together, we can protect India’s youth from falling prey to addiction and build a healthier, tobacco-free future.
 

Conclusion

The bright colors and sweet flavors used by the tobacco industry in India are deliberate tactics to hook young people into lifelong addiction. As we observe World No Tobacco Day 2025, it is vital to unmask these deceptive appeals and raise awareness about the real dangers of tobacco use. Your health and future are far more valuable than the fleeting allure of these “bright products.” Resist the trap, spread the word, and help create a tobacco-free India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the theme of World No Tobacco Day 2025?

The theme is “Bright Products. Dark Intentions. Unmasking the Appeal,” focusing on how tobacco companies use attractive packaging and flavors to lure youth.

Q2: How does the tobacco industry in India target young people?

By using bright, colorful packaging and flavored tobacco products that mask harshness, making tobacco more appealing to youth.

Q3: Why is World No Tobacco Day important in India?

India has one of the largest tobacco-using populations, and World No Tobacco Day raises awareness about tobacco’s health risks and industry tactics.

Q4: Are flavored tobacco products legal in India?

Flavored smokeless tobacco products are widely available, but e-cigarettes and vaping products have been banned since 2019.

Q5: How can youth resist tobacco industry marketing?

By staying informed about industry tactics, supporting tobacco-free lifestyles, and participating in awareness campaigns on World No Tobacco Day.