Delhi Pollution Video Equates Breathing to Smoking 18 Cigarettes

New Delhi, December 20, 2025: A startling perspective on the air quality crisis in India’s capital has been shared by a British man living in Delhi, sparking a massive conversation across social media. In a viral video captured in December 2025, the expat utilized a popular air quality conversion metric to illustrate the severity of the smog. It was claimed by him that breathing the air in Delhi during the current peak of pollution is equivalent to smoking 18 cigarettes a day. The footage has since been viewed by millions, reigniting a global debate on the health hazards faced by the city’s 30 million residents.

The “Cigarette Equivalence” Breakdown

The video was filmed from a balcony in South Delhi, where the city’s skyline was observed being almost entirely erased by a dense, yellow haze. A mobile application was used by the creator to show the Air Quality Index (AQI), which was seen hovering near the 500 mark—the maximum limit on many standard scales.

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Health Implications for the Vulnerable

The comparison made in the video has been supported by medical professionals who have observed a massive surge in respiratory ailments this winter. It has been reported by local hospitals that the number of patients complaining of shortness of breath, chronic bronchitis, and chest infections has nearly doubled in the last two weeks.

Calls for Systemic Change and Global Attention

The viral nature of the British man’s video has brought international scrutiny back to the regional causes of the pollution. It was argued by environmental activists that the seasonal “blame game” between neighboring states over stubble burning and industrial emissions must be replaced by year-round policy action. As the video continues to trend, the hope is shared by many that this visual and verbal testimony will move the conversation from “seasonal complaining” to “permanent solutions.” Until then, the residents of Delhi remain caught in a cycle where every breath taken is a health risk.