This document summarizes the history of tobacco use and its health effects, particularly for women. It notes that tobacco was introduced to India in the 1600s and became widely used. Nicotine in tobacco reaches the brain quickly and is highly addictive. Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 chemicals, many of which cause cancer. Women are increasingly targeted by tobacco companies and may find it harder to quit due to social and biological factors. Tobacco use is a major public health problem in India, responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. The government has enacted tobacco control laws, but faces challenges in fully implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.