Tobacco: Consumption pattern and risk factors in selected areas of Shillong, Meghalaya

BACKGROUND: The percentage of adults above 15 years who consume tobacco in Meghalaya as per the Global Adult Tobacco survey is 55.2%. AIM: In the context of the high burden of tobacco use in Meghalaya, this study aims to study the consumption pattern and the sociodemographic correlates of tobacco use in the urban slums of Shillong, Meghalaya. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted in adults over 15 years of age. Data collection was done by personal interview using a pretested questionnaire during house-to-house visit after taking informed verbal consent. RESULTS: A total of 400 people were included in this study. Most of the study population belonged to the age group 15–24 years (120, 30%). The majority of the study population (322, 80.5%) were aware of the health hazards of tobacco consumption. Most of the population (287, 71.75%) were tobacco consumers with 265 (76.4%) of them having co-addictions. In the study, 35% consumed smokeless forms, 30% were into smoking, and 35% consumed both forms. A significant association was observed between the status of tobacco consumption and knowledge of second-hand smoke harm (P = 0.019) as well as knowledge of any law regulating tobacco consumption (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: It was observed that despite having a basic knowledge of the ill effects of tobacco, its consumption is still widely prevalent in the region. There is a need for stringent laws regarding tobacco consumption and proper measures should be taken to enforce these laws.