A staggering 60% of cancer cases in India are attributed to tobacco consumption, according to Dr. Prasanth Penumadu, Medical Director of the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Cancer Care & Advanced Research (SVICCAR) in Tirupati. This alarming statistic includes a rise in non-smoking habits, particularly among women, who often consume tobacco unknowingly through products like 'Katlapodi', mistaken for betel nut powder. Dr. Prasanth emphasizes the need for greater awareness about the dangers of tobacco, which is linked to various cancers including those of the oral cavity, throat, lungs, oesophagus, stomach, kidneys, pancreas, and urinary bladder. In response to this health crisis, SVICCAR, supported by the TATA Cancer Care Foundation, is set to launch a Tobacco Cessation Clinic aimed at assisting individuals who wish to quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Dr. Prasanth noted that overcoming tobacco addiction is crucial, stating, "The first step to quit tobacco is to quit." He also cautioned against e-cigarettes, labeling them as another form of addiction without nicotine.