India, July 16 -- Tobacco use in rural India is not merely a personal choice - it is a social norm ingrained in everyday life. From chewing gutka and khaini to smoking bidis and adopting modern nicotine products, the habit begins early and often continues unchallenged. Cultural acceptance, lack of awareness, and deep-rooted traditions have made tobacco use a normalised behaviour in villages across the country. While tobacco-related illnesses afflict all income groups, it is India's rural poor who suffer most - facing higher exposure, minimal healthcare access, and scarce cessation support. Urban-focused awareness campaigns often overlook where the crisis hits hardest: rural India, home to over 65 per cent of the population. For many familie...