RESUMEN
Background: Use of tobacco in various forms is very rampant and it is seen even in young children. There has been a growing concern about negative effects of these substances on youth. This study was carried out to find the prevalence of the tobacco use and to identify factors associated with it in children of one of the urban slums of Ahmedabad city. Methodology: Personal interviews of 200 randomly selected children were taken and information was collected regarding various socio-demographic variables, reasons for addiction, willingness to quit tobacco, daily pocket money spent on tobacco and knowledge regarding hazards of tobacco use. The data was analyzed by using appropriate statistical software. Results: Out of total 200 children 80% were addicted to tobacco in some form. Mean age for children using tobacco was 11.48 years. More than 40% of their pocket money was spent on tobacco. Mean age of starting tobacco was 6.84 years. Average daily intake was around 4 packets. There was significant association found of tobacco use with parents' education, friends' and family members' addiction & availability of television at their home. 62.5 % of children were ready to quit tobacco. Knowledge about tobacco's harmfulness was there but was not sufficient to deter starting smoking. Conclusion: The finding of this study confirmed that there is high prevalence of tobacco use in 5-15 years of the children in the study area. Male gender, education of parents, addiction of parents and peer pressure were independently associated with current tobacco use. Health Education should be accompanied by more determined enforcement of health policies.