Tobacco use by Indian adolescents

Abstract

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Adolescents are the most vulnerable population to initiate tobacco use. It is now well established that most of the adult users of tobacco start tobacco use in childhood or adolescence. There has been a perceptible fall in smoking in the developed countries after realization of harmful effects of tobacco. The tobacco companies are now aggressively targeting their advertising strategies in the developing countries like India. Adolescents often get attracted to tobacco products because of such propaganda. There has been a rapid increase in trade and use of smokeless tobacco products in recent years in the country, which is a matter of serious concern to the health planners. It is important to understand various factors that influence and encourage young teenagers to start smoking or to use other tobacco products. The age at first use of tobacco has been reduced considerably. However, law enforcing agencies have also taken some punitive measures in recent years to curtail the use of tobacco products. This paper focuses on various tobacco products available in India, the extent of their use in adolescents, factors leading to initiation of their use, and the preventive strategies, which could be used to deal with this menace.</p

Media and the role of digital psychiatry in mental health

“…Covert sponsoring of mega sport events like international cricket matches and bravery awards surreptitiously aim to promote tobacco products. These may attract the vulnerable adolescents toward smoking as a desirable 'grown up' activity [47]. A study from India suggests that those children who are exposed to cigarette brand names through television are more likely to smoke, while those exposed to anti-tobacco messages are less likely to smoke [48].…”

Tobacco control: an issue twinned with oral cancer control

“…Fourteen per cent of adults (24.3% of men and 2.9% of women) smoke 7 . Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic levels; 20 million children between 10 and 14 years of age are addicted to tobacco 8 . Tobacco use among school and college students ranges from 6.9% to 22.5%, and the prevalence of tobacco use is higher among corporation school students than among private school students 9 .…”

“…Initiation of tobacco use peaks at 10th standard to 12th standard school/college students (15-17 years of age). Tobacco use in street children is initiated at very early ages (between 5 and 10 years of age) by chewing tobacco, available as sachets, followed by beedis and cigarettes, to suppress the hunger, helplessness and depression of street life 8 . With a problem of this magnitude among children, addressing tobacco as a paediatric concern can help in controlling the condition 10 .…”

In vitro analysis of particle penetration of smokeless tobacco forms using egg shell membrane as a substrate

“…[1,2] Tobacco may be used in the smoking and smokeless form, with the smokeless form showing an increasing usage. [3] Both these forms are associated with oral cancer, but smokeless tobacco appears to have the strongest correlation, which could be attributed to the direct contact of carcinogens with the oral epithelium.…”

“…[3] Both these forms are associated with oral cancer, but smokeless tobacco appears to have the strongest correlation, which could be attributed to the direct contact of carcinogens with the oral epithelium. [2][3][4] In a developing country like India, smokeless tobacco is frequently used in traditional forms and the most common forms are betel quid chewing, khaini, gutka, mawa, and tobacco leaves. Smokeless tobacco is not homogeneous as it is often combined with betel leaves, sliced areca nut and slaked lime and other additives that enhance the toxicity and psychotropic effects of tobacco.…”