Prevalence and patterns of smoking in Delhi: cross sectional study

Abstract

Objective-To determine the prevalence and predictors of smoking in urban India.Design-Cross sectional. Setting-Delhi, urban India, 1985-6. Subjects-Random sample of 13 558 men and women aged 25-64 years.Main outcome measure-Smoking prevalence; subjects who were currently smoking and who had smoked > 100 cigarettes or beedis or chuttas in their lifetime were defined as smokers.Results-45% (95% confidence interval 43.8 to 46.2) of men and 7% (6.4 to 7.6) of women were smokers. Education was the strongest predictor of smoking, and men with no education were 1.8 (1.5 to 2.0) times more likely to be smokers than those with college education, and women with no education were 3.7 (2.9 to 4.8) times more likely. Among smokers, 52.6% of men and 4.9"!. of women smoked only cigarettes while the others also smoked beedi or chutta. Compared with cigarette smokers, people smoking beedi or chutta were more likely to be older and married; have lower education, manual occupations, incomes, and body mass index; and not drink alcohol or take part in leisure exercise.Conclusion-There are two subpopulations of smokers in urban India, and the prevention strategy required for each may be different. The educated, white collar cigarette smoker in India might respond to measures that make nonsmoking fashionable, while the less educated, low income people who smoke beedi or chutta may need strategies aimed at socioeconomic improvement.Diabetes and Arthritis Epidemiology Section,

Social disparities in tobacco use in India: The roles of occupation, education and gender

“…[3] Education entered into the model first as the strongest predictor of smoking (P < 0.001) among both men and women. [5] Smoking prevalence was high in illiterates and in literates with less than seven years of schooling, but decreased significantly with the increase in education status after attaining secondary education and more. [6] Men with no education were 1.8 times more likely to be smokers than men with college education, and women with no education were 3.7 times more likely than those with college education.…”

“…[6] Men with no education were 1.8 times more likely to be smokers than men with college education, and women with no education were 3.7 times more likely than those with college education. [5] Occupation is one category highly relevant to social disparities in health. People in manual occupations were more likely to smoke than those in professional or supervisory occupations.…”

Prevalence and Associated Socio-Demographic Factors of Smoking Among Males in a Rural Area of Kozhikode District

“…20 In Naryan et al study, men with no education were 1.8 times more likely to be smokers than men with college education. 21 In Prabakar et al study also, prevalence of smoking decreased as educational status became higher. 19 Majority of males (44.2%) were skilled workers.…”

A study of factors impacting on the tobacco use patterns and tobacco-related behavior among the lower middle and lower classes in a resettlement colony of Delhi, India

“…The study by Venkat Narayan et al, done in Delhi also found a similar association between higher income categories and cigarette smoking. [10] With respect to policy for tobacco control, the fi ndings of this section suggest that in order to control tobacco use among this section of the population efforts shall have to be directed for control of both the smokeless (especially among the younger age groups) tobacco use and smoking. With respect to smoking, the efforts shall have to be concentrated on ways and means to curb beedi smoking.…”

“…[9,10] Hence, the impact of other factors on the type of tobacco consumed was examined both independently and after controlling for literacy level.…”