Despite educative programs and a ban on betel spitting in the public areas and on roads, the number of people aged between 10 and 39, who chew betel, continues to rise, according to the public health foundation.

According to the WHO, there are an estimated 246 million smokers and 290 million tobacco-related product users (betel chewers) in South East Asia. Ten per cent of the global populations chew betel. Thousands of populations die prematurely. The number of tobacco smokers and betel chewers in Myanmar is higher than that in other low-income countries.

In 2014, 43.8 per cent of males aged between 15 and above and 8.4 per cent of females, are tobacco users. In addition, 62.2 per cent of males and 24.1 per cent of female chew betel.

According to the 2016 list, 11 per cent of males aged 13 and 15 and two per cent of females, chew betel.