Level of tobacco dependence among tobacco users in an urban slum of Puducherry: A pilot study

CONTEXT: Successful tobacco quit by the tobacco users can avoid millions of premature death. However, the physical dependence on tobacco use results in frequent relapse most commonly due to withdrawal symptoms. AIMS: The aim of this study was to study the level of tobacco dependence among tobacco users in an urban slum of Puducherry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This facility-based descriptive pilot study was conducted among patients aged 15 years or above attending an urban health and training center in an urban slum of Puducherry. A total of 90 consecutive current tobacco users were included after obtaining verbal informed consent and interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. The information on tobacco dependence was collected using Fagerstrom Addiction Scale for smokers and smokeless tobacco users separately. RESULTS: Of the 90 current tobacco users, 95% were daily tobacco users. Of the current tobacco users, 48.8%, 45.6%, and 5.6% were smokers, smokeless tobacco users, and dual users, respectively. Majority of the smokers (61%) and most of the smokeless tobacco users (41%) had medium dependence for tobacco use. However, physical dependence was much higher among smokeless tobacco users (41.3%) than smokers (20.4%). CONCLUSION: Proportionately high physical dependence on tobacco is a concern in the study population. Community-based interventions are required to curb the problem; however, study with representative sample should be carried out before that.