A Study to Assess the Prevalence of Tobacco Consumption and Knowledge of Harmful Effect of Tobacco Consumption and Determinates of Quitting Behaviors among the School going Adolescents in Kamrup Metro

INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic levels. Tobacco is the leading cause of death in the world. About 5 million people die every year due to tobacco use and this figure may increase to 10 million tobacco related deaths per year by 2020 [1]. The World Bank has reported that nearly 82, 000–99, 000 children and adolescents all over the world begin smoking every day. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined ‘adolescents’ as persons in the 10 to 19 years age group. People in the age group of 10-19 years, comprise 22 % of the Indian population [2]. Tobacco smoking and chewing are the main causes of lung cancer and oral cancer are the second major causes of death in the world. The tobacco death toll is expected to double by 2025 from the present 5 million deaths (approximately). At every 6.5th second, a person dies because of a tobacco related disease, globally [3]. In India, tobacco use is estimated to cause 800, 000 deaths annually. The World Health Organization predicts that tobacco deaths in India may exceed 1.5 million annually by 2020 Forms of Tobacco consumption prevalent in north eastern region including Assam and other parts of India include Pan [piper betel leaf sliced with areca nut lime catechu and other spices chewed with or without tobacco], Pan masala or gutkha [chewable gutkha containing areca nut], Mishri/Sadha [A powdered tobacco rubbed on the gums]. Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GTYS) conducted in six regions of India on a national level, found a prevalence of 14.6 % among the 13 to 15 year adolescents with boys having 3 times higher prevalence than girls. [4] Major determinants include exposure to parental, sibling or peer smoking; peer pressure; easy access to smoking and non-smoking forms of tobacco; aggressive promotion and advertising; low cost, etc. There is an urgent need to curb tobacco use amongst school children from the early adolescent age because if this habit remains fo