India, Sept. 25 -- Whether it's the lingering haze on your morning commute or the casual smoke drifting across an outdoor cafe, passive exposure to smoke poses a daily health risk to millions.

A study published in The Lancet Public Health earlier in September estimates that 3,25,600 people in India died from causes attributable to exposure to second-hand (passive) smoke in 2023, up from 2,17,700 in 1990, a rise of nearly 50% over 33 years. The study estimates that around 444 million Indians were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2023, up from 375 million in 1990.

The health burden extends beyond deaths. The study estimates that second-hand smoke accounted for 9.28 million disability-adjusted life years in India in 2023. This suggests that...