Smoking trends among women in India: Analysis of nationally representative surveys (1993–2009)

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern among policy makers with respect to alarming growth in smoking prevalence among women in the developing countries. METHODS: Using disaggregated data from five nationally representative surveys: Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2010, National Family Health Survey-III (NFHS-III) 2004–2005, NFHS-II 1998-1999, National Sample Survey (NSS) 52(nd) Round 1995–1996, NSS 50(th) Round 1993-1994 we analysed female smoking trend from 1993-2009. Tobacco use among females was monitored for almost two decades focusing on gender, literacy, and state-specific trends among respondents aged >15 years. RESULTS: Smoking use among women has doubled from 1.4% to 2.9% (P < 0.001) during the period 2005-2010. The prevalence of smoking increased with decrease in per capita State Gross Domestic Product and literacy status for both men and women. CONCLUSION: As the overall smoking prevalence grows, female smoking is growing at a faster rate than smoking among males, which is an emerging concern for tobacco control in India and requires the attention of policymakers.