18 pc people addicted to tobacco in city: Study

CHANDIGARH: The first-ever study to assess the pattern of tobacco-based product (TBP) usage in city shows that 18.4 per cent persons are dependent on TBPs. Of these, an alarming 96.5 per cent persons are smokers.
Conducted by the community medicine department of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) between July, 2002, and June, 2003, on a sample size of 1,087 persons, the study is going to be presented at the Indian Public Health Association Conference at Bhubaneshwar on January 24.
The findings have also been forwarded to the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the project would be extended to include a larger sample size from different sections of Chandigarh society once DST gives the clearance.
"This is the first time that a study has been undertaken in Chandigarh to assess the prevalence of smoking and consumption patterns of TBPs. Though this is a pilot study, it gives a representative picture on the TBP dependence pattern. Of the 18.4 per cent persons who have been found TBP dependent, a whopping 96.5 per cent are smokers and 3.5 per cent are tobacco chewers. What adds to the concern is that 80.6 per cent of the smokers smoke on a daily basis and 19.4 per cent are occasional smokers," observes Dr Naveen Krishan Goel, reader, community medicine department.
Of the 1,087 persons who were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire based on a pattern proposed by the World Health Organisation, 50 per cent respondents were from Panjab University, 25 per cent from the rural areas, including Dhanas village and Palsora and the remaining 25 per cent from urban Chandigarh.
The study has brought some interesting facts to light. The maximum dependence on TBP is seen in the 25-34 years age group (30.4 per cent) followed by 23.7 per cent in the 35-44 years age group. "We also carried out attitude and practices study. Hindus topped the list in use of tobacco followed by Muslims. Tobacco dependence was also seen in seven per cent of Sikhs. Further, among the TBP users, 92.4 per cent however felt that tobacco should be banned. This is the segment we would specially like to tap if DST sanctions the project and motivate them to quit tobacco. We would be doing anti-tobacco campaign and come out with health education material for the purpose," observes Dr Goel.
The other significant finding is that though 29.4 per cent of the respondents were aware of respiratory hazards owing to tobacco use, 33.5 per cent of the smokers said they are not aware of the health hazards resulting from smoking.
"The study has its own limitations. To assess the real situation, the study needs to be done after five years again if we want to know trends," says Dr Goel. When this question was put to respondents, while 39 per cent said they got used to it and couldn’t come out it, 23.7 per cent people said that besides this, stress and tension were other triggers for them to take to smoking.