The survey also found that the gutkha banin 26 states and 7 union territories indirectly helps cigarette manufacturers as consumers of the tobacco product will switch to cigarettes.
"From our survey trend emerges as the gutkha users have either shifted to the consumption of cigarettes(38% of gutkha consumer) or have stopped the use to tobacco at all, " the report said.
The survey also explained why your local paanwala stocks small sweets at all times and why it could be an avenue of growth for some companies.
"47% of the smokers buy confectioneries along with cigarettes which creates an opportunity for the confectionery companies particularly cigarette companies that manufacture them such as ITC with Candyman and Godfrey Philips with Funda Goil) to leverage uponcigarette distribution channels to grow its confectionery sales, "Edelweiss said.