365telugu.com online news,Hyderabad, November 18, 2025:Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have quietly become one of the largest markets in southern India for illegal mosquito-repellent incense sticks, posing a grave but hidden public-health threat to millions of families.
Industry estimates reveal that the illegal mosquito-repellent incense stick market across India is worth over ₹1,800 crore annually. South India alone accounts for roughly ₹370 crore of this trade, and Telangana + Andhra Pradesh together contribute nearly ₹100 crore, making the two states a major consumption and distribution centre for these unregulated products.
Sold openly in local kirana stores, medical shops and even pharmacies for just ₹10–15 per pack and often labelled as “herbal” or “ayurvedic”, these incense sticks contain unapproved, unregistered and sometimes illegally imported chemicals. They carry no Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) approval and completely bypass the mandatory three-year safety and efficacy testing required under Indian law.
Prolonged inhalation of smoke from these illegal sticks can cause respiratory irritation, breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other health issues, especially in children, the elderly and people with asthma or allergies.
Health experts sound the alarm
Dr. Mukesh Sanklecha, Consultant Paediatrician, Bombay Hospital, warns: “Unregulated smoke-based repellents made with illegal chemicals are a silent danger inside homes. They may look cheap and harmless, but without proper testing they can seriously harm the lungs and eyes, particularly of young children. Always choose CIB&RC-approved products from reputed brands.”
How to identify a safe mosquito repellent Legal mosquito repellents (coils, liquid vaporisers, incense sticks, etc.) MUST display a CIR number (Central Insecticide Registration number) on the pack. This number, issued by the CIB&RC under the Ministry of Agriculture, confirms that the product has passed rigorous safety and efficacy tests for skin, eyes and inhalation.
Illegal incense sticks have:
- No CIR number
- No manufacturer details or batch number
- Dubious brand names like Sleepwell, Eyetex, Hunting Tiger, Subanithra, etc.
- Often packed in plain plastic with handwritten labels
Industry and authorities fight back
The Home Insect Control Association (HICA), a non-profit body representing responsible household insecticide manufacturers, has supported more than 100 raids across India between 2018 and 2024 targeting illegal manufacturers and sellers.
Mr. Jayant Deshpande, Honorary Secretary, HICA, stated: “Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have unfortunately emerged as one of the biggest markets for these illegal products. Not only do they evade taxes, they put families at risk by skipping all government-mandated safety checks. We urge every household to look for the CIR number on the pack — it is the only guarantee of safety.”
Mr. Rohit Vengurlekar, Head – Home Care, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (makers of Goodknight), added: “At GCPL, the safety of Indian families is non-negotiable. All Goodknight products are fully CIB&RC-approved and made with tested, government-permitted ingredients. We appeal to consumers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to reject cheap, illegal incense sticks and choose only certified repellents that actually protect without causing harm.”
As dengue and malaria cases continue to rise, using untested and illegal repellents defeats the very purpose of protection. Experts and responsible manufacturers urge citizens to stay vigilant and insist on the CIR mark — your family’s health depends on it.