A Study of Tobacco Use amongst Migrant Labourers in North India

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is one of the main risk factors for a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, lung diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite this, it is common throughout the world. An estimated 150 million young people use tobacco. The vast majority of tobacco users worldwide began when they were adolescents. This number is increasing globally, especially amongst those who move away from their families and homes to earn a living.

Methods: This was a community based, cross-sectional descriptive study conducted amongst the migrant labourers in a rural area of north India. All the migrant labourers, 20 to 45 years of age, who were present at the place of study during the period of study and consented to be part of it were included (N=275). The respondents were interviewed with the help of an investigator administered questionnaire. This was a standardized questionnaire based on the Tobacco Use Module of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2013 core questionnaire modules. Data was analysed using EpiInfo.

Results: Only 1.45 per cent (n=4) of the respondents had never smoked consumed tobacco in any other form. Almost one third of the study population, that is, 33.09 per cent (n=91) had started smoking at the age of 14 or 15 years while 28.36 per cent (n=78) had started at 16 or 17 years.

Conclusion: An overwhelming majority of the respondents were influenced by their fathers and took up smoking at a relatively younger age, despite being aware of the harmful effects.