Patterns and prevalence of youth tobacco consumption in North-Eastern region: A global youth tobacco survey-based comparison with India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71152/ajms.v16i11.4858Keywords:
Youth; Tobacco; Northeast India; Global youth tobacco survey; PrevalenceAbstract
Background: Tobacco use among youth in India is a major public health concern, particularly in the North-Eastern region, where prevalence rates are higher than the national average. Understanding the patterns and determinants of youth tobacco consumption in this region is essential for developing targeted interventions.
Aims and Objectives: To assess the prevalence and determinants of tobacco consumption among youth in North-Eastern India.
Materials and Methods: This study utilized data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), including the North-Eastern states. A comparative analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless) among school students aged ≤15 years in the North-Eastern region of India. Policy-related factors influencing tobacco consumption were also analyzed.
Results: The GYTS-4 survey revealed significant regional disparities, with tobacco use higher in the North-East (P<0.05). Among current users, 44.06% attempted to quit in the past year (P=0.00028), and 47.15% wanted to quit immediately (P=0.0001). Youth exposure to tobacco smoke was high (55.71%, P=0.00006), though health awareness was stronger, with 45.83% noticing health warnings (P=0.001) and 80.76% observing anti-tobacco messages. Accessibility to tobacco products was also a concern, with 53.8% of cigarettes purchased from stores (P=0.0477).
Conclusion: The North-Eastern region shows alarmingly high tobacco use, especially in Mizoram (89.7%) and Arunachal Pradesh (68.3%). However, there is a significant desire to quit, with states such as Manipur (61%) and Nagaland (65.7%) showing strong cessation efforts. The findings underline the urgent need for culturally sensitive tobacco control strategies in this high-risk region.
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