Prevalence and patterns of tobacco use and nicotine dependence among males industrial workers

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is an important preventable health risk factor in India. AIM: This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of current tobacco use, factors and extent of dependence associated with its use among male workers of an industrial organization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 759 participants randomly selected from the population of employees were administered questionnaire in Hindi containing demographic profile, patterns of smoking, and use of smokeless tobacco and alcohol. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the surveyed males (n = 750) used tobacco either by smoking or smokeless method or both (9.7% used both, 23.4% smoked, and 27.3% used smokeless tobacco). The maximum percentage was among the 26–30 years’ age group, and the married persons (45.4%, OR = 2.17, P < 0.05). Tobacco use was associated with lower educational qualifications, history of tobacco use in family members, and drinking alcohol. Seventy-two percent of the nicotine users reported being influenced by their peers in initiating the habit, 59.4% of the users reported being advised to stop tobacco use by a health professional, and 52.9% had attempted quitting the habit more than once. Twenty percent of our sample were dependent on nicotine and the highest prevalence was seen in those using both smoking and the smokeless tobacco. CONCLUSIONS: The Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence among male industrial employees is significant and necessitates Tobacco awareness and cessation programs regarding Tobacco use.