Nearly 85% of India’s mosquito repellent agarbatti market is controlled by illegal or unregulated products lacking mandatory approvals and ingredient disclosures, according to a new study released by the Home Insect Control Association (HICA).
The study, conducted by Kantar ahead of National Dengue Day, surveyed over 1,200 households and 400 doctors across 12 cities.
India’s mosquito agarbatti market is estimated to be worth around ₹2,000 crore. However, a significant share of products sold in local stores and chemist outlets reportedly lack mandatory Central Insecticides Registration (CIR) approval.
Products sold under names such as Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax, Sun-Relax, Subhanithra, Hunting Tiger, High Voltage, Happy Night, Dengue Killer and Hi-Power were identified as commonly available despite the absence of clear regulatory disclosures.
The study found that 59% of households use such mosquito agarbattis, with many consumers unaware of the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure.
Jayant Deshpande, Secretary & Director of HICA, said, “A huge share of mosquito agarbattis sold at local stores and chemist outlets is untested, illegal, and lacks the mandatory CIR registration number. Consumers should look for products that clearly display the CIR registration number and avoid those with vague claims or missing regulatory disclosures.”
Doctors surveyed as part of the study linked the regular use of illegal mosquito agarbattis to respiratory illnesses, allergies, and increasing healthcare costs.
The report called for stronger enforcement against unregulated products and greater public awareness regarding approved mosquito protection alternatives.
