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. 2014 Dec 4;9(12):e114073.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114073. eCollection 2014.

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use in India: evidence from recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey data

Akansha Singh  1 , Laishram Ladusingh  2
Affiliations

Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use in India: evidence from recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey data

Akansha Singh et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use in India is characterized by a high prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use, with dual use also contributing a noticeable proportion. In the context of such a high burden of tobacco use, this study examines the regional variations, and socioeconomic, demographic and other correlates of smoking, smokeless tobacco and dual use of tobacco in India.

Methods and findings: We analyzed a cross sectional, nationally representative sample of individuals from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey in India (2009-10), which covered 69,296 individuals aged 15 years and above. The current tobacco use in three forms, namely, smoking only, smokeless tobacco use only, and both smoking and smokeless tobacco use were considered as outcomes in this study. Descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and multinomial logistic regression analysis were adopted as analytical tools. Smokeless tobacco use was the major form of tobacco use in India followed by smoking and dual tobacco use. Tobacco use was higher among males, the less educated, the poor, and the rural population in India. Respondents lacking knowledge of health hazards of tobacco had higher prevalence of tobacco use in each form. The prevalence of different forms of tobacco use varies significantly by states. The prevalence of tobacco use increases concomitantly with age among females. Middle-aged adult males had higher prevalence of tobacco use. Age, education and region were found to be significant determinants of all forms of tobacco use. Adults from the poor household had significantly higher risk of consuming smokeless tobacco. Lack of awareness about the selected hazards of tobacco significantly affects tobacco use.

Conclusions: There is an urgent need to curb the use of tobacco among the sub-groups of population with higher prevalence. Tobacco control policies in India should adopt a targeted, population-based approach to control and reduce tobacco consumption in the country.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Prevalence of type of tobacco use among males in India by state, GATS India, 2009–10.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Prevalence of type of tobacco use among females in India by state, GATS India, 2009–10.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Prevalence of type of tobacco use according to sex and age group, GATS India, 2009–10.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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