This study presents the first estimate of the worldwide burden of disease and premature death attributable to exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) during 2004 through a retrospective analysis of data from 192 countries. The resulting burden of disease is measured as number of deaths and loss of diability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for children and adult non-smokers.

On 31 May 2005 (World No Tobacco Day), the Health Minister of India informed the media that the Ministry of Health would ban depiction of any form of tobacco use in films and teleserials with effect from 1 August 2005. Predictably, this announcement triggered a storm of protests from the film industry and sections of the media. (Editorial)