Tobacco use patterns and predictors among college students in Mangalore, South India: Findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Tobacco use is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, particularly in SouthEast Asia. The tobacco problem in India is probably more complex than in any other country, with a huge consequential burden of tobacco related diseases and deaths. The present study aimed at analyzing the pattern and predictors of tobacco use among college students aged 18-24 years, using the Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS). METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2063 students, from 30 colleges of Mangalore, South India, who were selected by multistage sampling with probability proportional to size. The tobacco questions used for this study were a validated, recommended subset of key questions from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Data analysis was performed using GATS manuals and SPSS version 24.0. RESULTS A total of 2063 students participated in the study (738 males, 1325 females). Prevalence of tobacco smoking was 4.8%, which included 9.9% males and 2.1% females. Manufactured cigarettes were the most commonly preferred tobacco product among daily smokers. The overall percentage of smokeless tobacco use was 4.8%, which included 7.4% males and 3.3% females. Logistic regression analysis showed that 71.4% of the participants who noticed anticigarette information on television made an attempt to quit smoking. The odds ratio (OR) of quitting was 4.4 times higher compared to those who did not notice any information on television (p=0.002). In addition, noticing health warnings on cigarette packs strongly influenced an individual to quit smoking (OR=30.09). CONCLUSIONS The study results showed low prevalence of the use of both smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco, current smoking, and chewing tobacco, among the study population. Generating data in this part of the country on tobacco use and developing tobacco control measures at regular intervals are essential to better understand and develop effective intervention programs.

Exploring the impact of smoking on mental health: A cross-sectional analysis in a district-level university in Bangladesh

“…This study was found that students living in hall were more likely to smoke than those living elsewhere, while another study found that smoking prevalence is higher among students living away from home 19 . Additionally, smoking prevalence is comparatively higher among students from urban areas than among those from rural areas 23 . These results indicate that when students live away from home or away from their parents, they have a higher chance of being smokers.…”

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Tütün Kullanım Prevalansı ve İlişkili Risk Faktörleri: Trabzon, Türkiye

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Prevalences between 4.8% and 43.6% have been reported in universities in other countries (Figure 1). 16,[18][19][20][21] The prevalence of smoking among university students in Turkey has decreased over the years. However, in this research we conducted after the COVID-19 pandemic, we found an increase in prevalence compared to previous studies.…”

“…20 But no significant difference has been observed in terms of tobacco use between male and female university students in the USA. 18 Tobacco use is being regarded as a male behavior represents the basic reason for this variation. Older research from Turkey reported wide differences in prevalence values between men and women, while the difference has diminished in more recent research.…”

“…For example, there are differences in the effect of gender or the type of product used in studies conducted in the USA, India, or Saudi Arabia. 16,18,19 The prevalences and affecting factors in research performed in universities in Turkey also vary. 6,7 Regional research in the fight against tobacco therefore contributes to the understanding of local factors affecting its use.…”

Association of Social Network Characteristics with Substance Use among College-Going Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Using tobacco and alcohol could be considered symbolic of adulthood. In addition, early exposure and initiation, curiosity, peer influence and pressure, the industry's advertisement and promotional strategies to target youth, 39,40 easy availability, and SU within the household may provide an impetus for students to use substances. 41 Further, students' parents' occupations and income were seen to be associated with SU.…”