Trends in Tobacco and Alcohol Consumption in Nalgonda District

Men used to be more likely to smoke and drink heavily than women. However, as social roles changed, so have gender differences in healthrelated behaviors. Parallels and contrasts between tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking are considered, in terms of harms, cultural positioning and dependence, which is social as well as physical and psychological. The study was conducted in Nalgonda district, Telangana State to assess demographic, nutrition and Health status of the population who were residing around the Proposed uranium processing plant at sherpalle. The findings of the study showed that 52 % of respondents were illiterates and 30 % belonged to Schedule Tribes. The results revealed that the frequency of smoking was found to be daily by 50 % of the sample and the type of tobacco used was beedi by 45 % of the smokers. Thirty nine percent of the smokers smoked 1-5 pieces by the age seen in between 16-20yrs which constituted 30 %of smokers. The frequency of daily alcohol consumption was seen 44 % of the alcoholics. The type of liquor consumed by 60 % was locally made age group of 15-20yrs constituted 55 % of the alcoholics. Forty eight percent of the alcoholics consumed 100-200ml liquor. Female population was found to be the majority in the exclusive alcohol consumption (42 %) and males were the majority in the exclusive smoking category (37 %). And also Females were found to have highest percentage (36 %) in Both smoking and alcohol consumption followed by 25 % of male population. Though 53 % of males 47 % of females formed the total population. Of 83 % male and 17 % female no of people with these habits, with in the gender groups in the practice of smoking, drinking higher percent of females (42 %) were exclusive alcoholics, compared to 37 % of exclusive alcoholics among men.