In this study we aimed to (i) determine whether the association between CHRN variants and propensity to smoke extends to non-smoking forms of tobacco use (ii) examine if CHRN genetic variants influence susceptibility to oral cancer risk in India, (iii) clarify the association between the potential causal variants in the 4q23 (ADH) and 12q (ALDH2) locus and the risk of oral cancer in India. This evidence concerns the gene ALDH2 and lip and oral cavity carcinoma.