Though smokers in India start later than in the U.S. and smoke fewer cigarettes, they're still in danger of a major smoking epidemic that could lead to up to a million deaths in the next few years. Many of those smokers are poor and illiterate, and health experts believe that picture warnings on cigarette packages may be more effective than written warnings. Tobacco companies have so far successfully fought to keep the warnings off cigarette packaging.

Though smoking bans are becoming more popular in the U.S., in India, says MSNBC, smokers light up anywhere, including school playgrounds and hospitals. Most smokers in India, according to a recent study, don't stop smoking until they fall ill. Health experts in India are taking this research seriously, but it's clear they have a long way to go.