Respiratory diseases were the leading cause of medically certified deaths in Mizoram in 2025, according to the state's Medical Certification of Causes of Death (MCCD) Report, 2025. As reported by CNBCTV18, these illnesses made up 17.3% of the recorded cases, followed by digestive ailments at 15%.
Key points
- Mizoram recorded 4,146 medically certified deaths in 2025, down from 4,329 in 2024.
- Respiratory diseases caused 721 deaths, including 268 women.
- Digestive ailments were second, with 613 deaths.
- The report does not establish a direct link between air pollution and these deaths.
What the report shows
The report was released by Vanlaldina Fanai, who is the Chief Registrar of Births and Deaths-cum-Commissioner and Secretary. Among the districts, Aizawl reported the highest number of medically certified deaths at 2,664. Lunglei followed with 350 deaths, and Kolasib recorded 282.
The figures have raised questions about what factors may be adding to respiratory illness in the state, especially air pollution, household fuel use and tobacco consumption.
Possible factors: air pollution and household smoke
No city in Mizoram is covered under the National Clean Air Programme. Even so, air quality in Aizawl has been reported to exceed the updated World Health Organisation guidelines. Sources of outdoor pollution include vehicle emissions, forest fires, jhum cultivation and the burning of wood for fuel.
Jhum, or slash-and-burn farming, involves clearing vegetation and burning it to prepare land for crops. The state government says about 60% of people are engaged in agriculture, with jhum the main form of land use. About 20,000 hectares are cleared for it each year. The smoke can add to particulate pollution in the air.
Pollution is also a concern indoors. Wood and other biomass fuels, along with kerosene used for cooking, can release smoke and harmful pollutants inside homes. Tobacco smoking adds to indoor air pollution and exposes both smokers and those around them. Long exposure to household smoke and particulate matter can affect respiratory health, but the extent of its role in the state's disease burden would need further investigation, the report said.
Tobacco use trends
Tobacco use is another public health concern. National trends show that tobacco use among men has declined in most states. Mizoram is one of the states where an upward trend has been seen, along with Sikkim, Goa, Bihar, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Among women, tobacco use has fallen in almost all states, with Mizoram and Sikkim as exceptions.
Tobacco consumption is linked to several respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Why it matters
The data points to respiratory health as a major area of concern for Mizoram. Since the report does not tie the deaths to any single cause, the role of air quality, indoor fuel use and tobacco would need closer study.
