Tobacco use among urban school boys of Paschim Midnapore, India

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, perception and pattern of tobacco use among 13-15 years old urban school boys along with associated factors of tobacco use. Methods: A cross sectional, observational, study was carried out among 454 urban school boys aged 13-15 years studying in VIII, IX, X using self administered modified Global Youth Tobacco Survey Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution tables, proportion, line diagram, chi square test as required. Results: Out of 454 students, 201(44.3%) were ever users of tobacco whereas 135(29.7%) were current users. Majority of the current users utilized both form of tobacco. Initiation of tobacco before 10 years were more in smokeless (11.4%) form than smoking (4.5%), but smokers showed steep rise (49.3%) at 14-15 years. Proportion of current users significantly (p<0.001) increased along with increase in pocket money. Compared to non-users current users had more exposure to tobacco in the family and friends. Both current users and non-users showed positive attitude towards tobacco use. Though knowledge of harmful effects of tobacco was well perceived but significantly more (p<0.005) non-users had shown interest to prohibit smoking in public places. More non-users (75%) than ever users (26.4%) had shown favourable opinion regarding future tobacco use. Conclusion: Due increased exposure to the world through several ways and increased modern amenities to influence teenagers, there is high prevalence, average perception and variable patterns of tobacco at Midnapore town where tobacco is trapping teenagers which needs proper intervention (JPMA 60:786; 2010).