Tobacco Quit Rates among Youth in an Urban Health Centre of Mumbai: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use is a major cause of preventable death and disease in India. A nationally representative case-control study of smoking in India (2008) revealed that only 2% of smokers had spontaneously quit. This study was undertaken to assess tobacco quit rates among the youth in an urban health center and to determine barriers in quitting tobacco use. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted among the youth attending Malwani Urban Health Centre. Hundred-thirty-three subjects were selected by a universal sampling method. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire. Findings: The majority of the youth were in the 18 to 21-year-old age group (43%), Male (82.4%), Muslim (65.4%) and unmarried (57.1%). The tobacco quit rate among these cases was 8.3%. Quitting tobacco use was significantly associated with the person's religion, marital status and living with the family Conclusion: Fear of cancer was the most common reason for quitting tobacco. The major reason for initiation of tobacco consumption was peer pressure and betel quid was the most common form. Not experiencing any harmful effects of tobacco was the most common reason for not quitting tobacco. Keywords: Youth, Tobacco quit rates, Peer pressure, Smoking .