To Know The Reasons For Initiation And Continuation Of Tobacco Use In A Rural Community Of North India

INTRODUCTION:  Tobacco epidemic is one of the biggest public health threats and is one of the leading causes of death, illness and impoverishment. According to WHO, 100 million deaths in 20^th century were caused by Tobacco and it may go up to one billion by 21st century. Majority of tobacco users start using it during adolescents. It is important to understand the reasons for initiation and continuation of tobacco use in communities, to make effective policies to reduce its burden

METHODS:  A community based qualitative study was done in a rural area of North India. Focus Group Discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted among users and various stakeholders in the community (Accredited Social Health Activist, Health Worker, Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery, Sarpanch (Head) of the village) using standard protocol

RESULTS:  

Reasons include elderly smoking at home and in society, peer pressure, curiosity to try it once i.e. Experimental smoking leading to habit.   Lot of children get exposed when they were asked by their parents, relatives or neighbors to get it for them from neighbor hood shops and they become unhesitant at later stage of life to use it. Continued tobacco use includes perceived reasons like no apparent harmful effects, social customs and traditions, dependence, stress reliever, physical discomfort on quitting. Tobacco use is also increasing among youngsters as the Anti- Tobacco laws are not followed in the rural area.

CONCLUSIONS:  Most of youngsters start using it seeing their elders smoking in family or neighborhood and have the tendency to start it at an early age. It is a great public health concern and hence there is a need to understand these reasons and make policies addressing above issues in a country like India which has more than 1.2 billion population with majority of young population base