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Review
. 2015 Jan-Apr;19(1):69-76.
doi: 10.4103/0973-029X.157205.

Various terminologies associated with areca nut and tobacco chewing: A review

Kalpana A Patidar  1 , Rajkumar Parwani  1 , Sangeeta P Wanjari  1 , Atul P Patidar  1
Affiliations
Review

Various terminologies associated with areca nut and tobacco chewing: A review

Kalpana A Patidar et al. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2015 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

Globally, arecanut and tobacco are among the most common addictions. Tobacco and arecanut alone or in combination are practiced in different regions in various forms. Subsequently, oral mucosal lesions also show marked variations in their clinical as well as histopathological appearance. However, it has been found that there is no uniformity and awareness while reporting these habits. Various terminologies used by investigators like 'betel chewing','betel quid chewing','betel nut chewing','betel nut habit','tobacco chewing'and 'paan chewing' clearly indicate that there is lack of knowledge and lots of confusion about the exact terminology and content of the habit. If the health promotion initiatives are to be considered, a thorough knowledge of composition and way of practicing the habit is essential. In this article we reviewed composition and various terminologies associated with areca nut and tobacco habits in an effort to clearly delineate various habits.

Keywords: Areca nut; habit; paan; quid; tobacco.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Areca nut tree and its fruit (Courtesy: http://upload. wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Areca_catechu K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-014.jpg)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Areca nut hanging on a palm tree (Courtesy: http://upload. wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Areca_catechu_nuts_ at_Kadavoor.jpg/220px-Areca_catechu_nuts_at_Kadavoor.jpg)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Raw areca nut, fresh, tobacco leaves and paan (Courtesy: http://thumb7.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/727267/135305945/stock-photo-areca-nut-betel-nut-chewed-with- the-leaf-is-mild-stimulant-135305945.jpg)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Ripe areca nut with husk and fruit (Courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Areca_catechu_-_K%C3%B6hler%E2%80%93s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-014.jpg)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Ripe areca nut (Courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Arecanut.jpg/800px-Arecanut.jpg)
Figure 6
Figure 6
Dried areca nut cut into transverse section (Courtesy: http://www.asiayoma.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Betel-Nuts.jpg)
Figure 7
Figure 7
Dried tobacco leaves (Courtesy: http://st.depositphotos. com/1050070/1901/i/950/depositphotos_19016325-Leaf-tobacco.jpg)
Figure 8
Figure 8
Shredded, dried tobacco (Courtesy: http://cdn.xl.thumbs. canstockphoto.com/canstock12131125.jpg)
Figure 9
Figure 9
Paan tree (Courtesy: http://www.seedsofindia.com/shop/images/Piper-betel-plant-Paan-Leaf221-280.jpg)
Figure 10
Figure 10
Tobacco paan (Courtesy: https://encryptedtbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ2LyDQl_ Zi6hRYmhJLtC1QS4fgj9uUMsklGBX9T3tqYK1TirLx4g)
Figure 11
Figure 11
Meethapaan (Courtesy: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/66/Meetha_paan.jpg)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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