Smoking susceptibility as a predictive measure of cigarette and e-cigarette use among early adolescents / Susceptibilidad a fumar como medida predictiva del consumo de cigarros y cigarros electrónicos en adolescentes

Abstract Objective To assess the validity of a standard measure of smoking susceptibility for predicting cigarette and e-cigarette use in a sample of early adolescents in Argentina and Mexico. Materials and methods A school-based longitudinal survey was conducted in 2014-16 among secondary students. We analyzed students who were never smokers of regular cigarettes or e-cigarettes at baseline and who completed both surveys. The main independent variable was smoking susceptibility. Multilevel logistic regression models were used, adjusting for sociodemographic and personal variables, social network use of cigarettes and exposure to advertising. Results In the adjusted analysis, smoking susceptibility independently predicted cigarette initiation (Argentina: AOR 2.28; 95%CI 1.66-3.14; Mexico: AOR 2.07; 95%CI 1.74-2.45) and current smoking (Argentina: AOR 3.61; 95%CI 2.48-5.24; Mexico: AOR 1.69; 95%CI 1.29-2.22); however, it only predicted e-cigarette initiation in Mexico (Mexico: AOR 1.29; 95%CI 1.02-1.63). Conclusion Smoking susceptibility was a valid measure to predict future cigarette smoking in this sample.

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar la validez de una medida estándar de susceptibilidad para predecir el consumo de cigarros convencionales y electrónicos en una muestra de adolescentes de Argentina y México. Material y métodos Entre 2014 y 2016 se realizó una encuesta longitudinal en alumnos de secundarias. Se analizaron los alumnos no fumadores y que no habían probado cigarrillos electrónicos en la encuesta basal y que completaron ambas encuestas. La variable independiente principal era la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarros. Se efectuó una regresión logística multinivel, ajustando por variables sociodemográficas y personales, consumo en el círculo social íntimo y exposición a la publicidad. Resultados En el análisis ajustado, la susceptibilidad al consumo predijo de manera independiente el inicio del consumo de cigarros convencionales (Argentina: RMA2.28; IC95%1.66-3.14; México: RMA2.07; IC95%1.74-2.45) y su consumo actual (Argentina: RMA3.61; IC95%2.48-5.24; México: RMA1.69; IC95%1.29-2.22). Sin embargo, sólo predijo el inicio del consumo de cigarros electrónicos en México (México: ORA 1.29; IC95%1.02-1.63). Conclusión Esta medida es válida para predecir el futuro consumo de cigarros en esta muestra.

Fatores associados ao uso de narguilé e outros produtos do tabaco entre escolares, Brasil, 2015 / Factors associated with the use of waterpipe and other tobacco products among students, Brazil, 2015

RESUMO: Objetivo: Identificar a frequência e os fatores associados ao uso de narguilé e outros produtos do tabaco entre os escolares brasileiros. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar. A amostra foi composta por alunos do 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental. Foi realizada análise descritiva do uso de produtos do tabaco em 2012 e 2015. Para explorar a relação de fatores como características sociodemográficas, familiares, saúde mental e hábitos de vida com o uso de outros produtos do tabaco, foram calculados odds ratio ajustados. Resultados: O uso de outros produtos do tabaco aumentou de 4,8% (IC95% 4,6 - 5,0), em 2012, para 6,1% (IC95% 5,7 - 6,4), em 2015, com maior proporção em meninos. O narguilé foi o produto mais usado em 2015 (71,6%; IC95% 68,8 - 74,2), sendo mais frequente em meninas. Foram positivamente associados ao uso de outros produtos do tabaco: escola privada, morar com pai/mãe, trabalhar, não ter amigos, sofrer violência familiar, faltar às aulas, fazer uso de cigarros e álcool, ter experimentado drogas, já ter tido relação sexual, ter pais ou responsáveis fumantes e presenciar pessoas fumando. Os fatores de proteção foram: sexo feminino, incremento da idade, cor da pele parda ou indígena, fazer refeições com responsável, ter supervisão familiar e praticar atividade física. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o uso de outros produtos do tabaco foi elevado, com aumento nos últimos anos, destacando-se o narguilé. Torna-se importante a conscientização dos riscos e a vigilância do uso desses produtos, bem como o avanço das políticas públicas de controle do tabagismo no país.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To identify the frequency and factors associated with the use of waterpipe and other tobacco products among Brazilian students. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the National Adolescent Student Health Survey. The sample consisted of 9th-grade students from elementary school. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the use of tobacco products in 2012 and 2015. To explore the relationship between the use of other tobacco products and factors such as sociodemographic characteristics, family, mental health, and life habits, we calculated the adjusted odds ratio. Results: The use of other tobacco products increased from 4.8% (95%CI 4.6 - 5.0) in 2012 to 6.1% (95%CI 5.7 - 6.4) in 2015, with a higher proportion among boys. Waterpipe was the most commonly used product in 2015 (71.6%; 95%CI 68.8 - 74.2), especially among girls. Factors positively associated with the use of other tobacco products were: attending private school, living with father/mother, working, not having friends, suffering domestic violence, skipping classes, consuming cigarettes and alcohol, experimenting drug, having had sex, having smoker parents or guardians, and seeing people smoking. The protective factors were: female gender, increasing age, multiracial or indigenous people, having meals with a guardian, family supervision, and practicing physical activity. Conclusion: The use of other tobacco products was high and has been increasing in recent years, particularly waterpipe. It is important to raise awareness of the risks and monitor the use of these products, as well as improve public policies of tobacco control in the country.

Uso de outros produtos do tabaco entre escolares brasileiros (PeNSE 2012) / Uso de otros productos del tabaco entre escolares brasileños (PeNSE 2012) / The use of other tobacco products among Brazilian school children (PeNSE 2012)

Resumo: Estimar a prevalência e identificar fatores associados ao uso de outros produtos do tabaco entre escolares. Foi realizado um estudo transversal, com amostra representativa de escolares que cursaram o 9º ano do Ensino Fundamental. Foram entrevistados 109.104 estudantes, sendo que 4,8% fizeram uso de outros produtos de tabaco nos últimos 30 dias. Os fatores que aumentaram a chance de uso de outros produtos do tabaco foram: sexo masculino, dependência administrativa da escola, trabalhar, morar com mãe e/ou pai, percepção de que os pais ou responsáveis se importariam pouco caso fumasse, ter dificuldade para dormir, não ter amigos próximos, sofrer violência familiar, faltar às aulas, ter feito uso de tabaco e álcool nos últimos 30 dias, ter experimentado drogas, possuir pais ou responsáveis fumantes e ter presenciado pessoas fumando. A prevalência de consumo de outros produtos do tabaco é elevada entre estudantes brasileiros e está associada com melhores condições socioeconômicas, presença de comportamentos de risco e viver em ambiente permissível ao consumo de tabaco.

Resumen: Estimar la prevalencia e identificar factores asociados al consumo de otros productos del tabaco entre escolares. Se realizó un estudio transversal, con una muestra representativa de escolares que cursaron el 9º año de enseñanza fundamental. Se entrevistaron a 109.104 estudiantes, siendo que un 4,8% consumieron otros productos diferentes al tabaco durante los últimos 30 días. Los factores que aumentaron la oportunidad de consumo de otros productos del tabaco fueron: sexo masculino, dependencia administrativa de la escuela, trabajar, vivir con la madre y/o padre, percepción de que a los padres o responsables les importaría poco, en caso de que fumase, tener dificultad para dormir, no tener amigos cercanos, sufrir violencia familiar, faltar a las clases, haber consumido tabaco y alcohol en los últimos 30 días, haber probado drogas, tener padres o responsables fumadores y haber presenciado personas fumando. La prevalencia de consumo de otros productos del tabaco es elevada entre estudiantes brasileños y está asociada con mejores condiciones socioeconómicas, presencia de comportamientos de riesgo y vivir en un ambiente permisible al consumo del tabaco.

Abstract: The goal of this paper is to estimate the prevalence and to identify factors related to the use of other tobacco products among schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a representative sample of high school students enrolled in the 9th grade. A total of 109,104 students were interviewed, and 4.8% of them had used other tobacco products in the previous 30 days. The factors that increased the likelihood of using other tobacco products were: male gender, being administratively dependent on the school, having a job, living with mother and/or father, perception that the parents or guardians would not care if they smoked, having difficulties sleeping, not having close friends, having experienced domestic violence, skipping classes, having used tobacco and alcohol within the past 30 days, having experimented drugs, having smoking parents or guardians, having seen people smoking. The prevalence of using other tobacco products is high among Brazilian students, and is associated with higher socioeconomic conditions, presence of risk behavior, and living in an environment permissible to tobacco use.

Redução do número de cigarros durante internação psiquiátrica: intervenção ou punição? / Reducción del número de cigarrillos durante la hospitalización psiquiátrica: ¿intervención o sanción? / The decreasing number of cigarettes during psychiatric hospitalization: intervention or punishment?

A restrição do fumo durante internação psiquiátrica provoca mudanças pessoais e institucionais. Objetivo: Identificar a percepção dos portadores de transtorno mental, fumantes, sobre a redução do número de cigarros durante a internação psiquiátrica. Método: Estudo exploratório com 96 portadores de transtorno mental, fumantes, internados em hospital geral: G1 (34 sujeitos quando permitido um cigarro/hora) e G2 (62 sujeitos quando reduzido para oito cigarros/dia). Questionário semiestruturado. Análise temática do conteúdo. Resultados: O G1 declarou-se satisfeito com a restrição – fumo na internação como direito. O G2 resiste à mudança da restrição que ocorreu sem diálogo ou apoio. Apesar das dificuldades, constataram-se algumas mudanças de atitudes sobre o cigarro tais como aumento responsabilidade, descoberta de capacidade em reduzir o fumo e ressignificação do seu papel. Conclusão: Alguns sujeitos entendem a mudança na política de saúde do tabagismo como punição, enquanto outros como oportunidade de repensar o papel do cigarro em sua vida. .

La restricción al tabaquismo durante la hospitalización psiquiátrica promueve cambios personales e institucionales. Objetivo: Identificar la percepción de portadores de trastorno mental, fumadores, sobre la reducción del número de cigarrillos durante la internación psiquiátrica. Método: Estudio exploratorio con 96 portadores de trastorno mental, tabaquistas, internados en hospital general: GI (34 sujetos cuando permitido un cigarrillo/hora) y G2 (62 sujetos cuando reducido para ocho cigarrillo/día). Cuestionario semi-estructurado. Análisis temática del contenido. Resultados: El GI se declaró satisfecho con la restricción – tabaco en la hospitalización como directo. El G2 resiste al cambio de la restricción que ocurrió sin dialogo o ayuda. Aunque las dificultades, se constató algunos cambios de actitudes sobre el tabaco como el aumento de responsabilidad, descubierta de la capacidad de reducir el fumo y re-significación de su papel. Conclusión: Algunos de los sujetos comprenden el cambio en la política de salud del tabaquismo como sanción, mientras otros como una oportunidad de replantear el papel del cigarrillo en su vida. .

The smoking ban during psychiatric hospitalization provokes personal and institutional changes. Objective: To identify the mental disorders carriers’ perception, the smokers ones, about the decreasing number of cigarettes during psychiatric hospitalization. Method: Exploratory study with 96 hospitalized carriers of mental disorders who are smokers: G1 (34 subjects hospitalized when was allowed one cigarette by hour) and G2 (62 subjects hospitalized when it was reduced to eight cigarette by day). Semi-structured questionnaire. Thematic content analysis. Results: The G1 admitted satisfaction with the restriction – smoking during hospitalization as entitlement. The G2 resists the restriction change occurred without dialogue or support. In spite of the difficulties, some attitude changes about the cigarette were noticed such as increase of the responsibility, discovery of the ability to reduce smoking and the meaning of its role. Conclusion: Some subjects understand the smoking health policy change as punishment, while others as opportunity to think about the role of cigarette in their life. .

Perfil dos estudantes de uma instituição de ensino superior quanto ao uso de álcool e outras drogas / Profile of students an a higher education institution of as the use of alcohol and other drugs

Introdução: As bebidas alcóolicas são produtos de fácil acesso a população, acarretando um consumo excessivo em diversos países, incluindo o Brasil, o que ocasiona juntamente com o uso de drogas ilícitas vários agravos à saúde, tornando-se um problema de saúde pública. Objetivo: Traçar o perfil dos estudantes universitários de uma instituição de ensino superior no município de Santa Cruz/RN no tocante ao uso de álcool e outras drogas. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem quantitativa. Participaram da pesquisa 84 estudantes que estavam regularmente matriculados nos cursos de Enfermagem, Fisioterapia e Nutrição na UFRN/FACISA. Foi aplicado no período de maio a julho de 2014 um questionário com 41 questões objetivas, e para análise dos dados foi utilizado o pacote estatístico SPSS versão 17.0. Resultados: As drogas mais consumidas entre os estudantes universitários com idade mínima entre 18 e 33 anos de idade são o álcool, cigarro, maconha, substâncias inalatórias, cocaína, LSD, chá de cogumelo e êxtase. Os fatores motivadores para o uso das drogas foram convívio com pessoas que fazem uso, curiosidade e influência dos amigos. Conclusão: Os estudantes iniciam precocemente o uso de drogas, sobretudo, as lícitas e conviver com pessoas que fazem uso tem motivado o consumo (AU).

Introduction: The alcoholic beverages are easily accessible to the population, this resulting in excessive consumption in several countries, including Brazil, which causes along with the use of illicit drugs several health problems, becoming a public health problem. Objective: To describe the profile of university students in a higher education institution in the city of Santa Cruz / RN regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs. Methodology: This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach. The participants were 84 students who were enrolled in Nursing, Physiotherapy and Nutrition in UFRN / FACISA. Was applied in the period from May to July 2014 a questionnaire with 41 objective questions, and to analyze the data we used the statistical package SPSS version 17.0. Results: The drugs most consumed in between college students with a minimum age of 18 years and a maximum of 33 are alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, inhaled substances, cocaine, LSD and ecstasy or mushroom and tea. The motivating factors for drug use were living with people who use, curiosity and peer pressure. Conclusion: Students start early drug use, especially the legal and mingle with people who use has motivated consumption (AU).

The relation between price and daily consumption of cigarettes and bidis: Findings from the Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Wave 1 Survey.

CONTEXT: In India, 14% of the population use smoked tobacco products. Increasing prices of these products is one of the measures to curb their consumption. AIMS: This study analyzes “unit price” and “daily consumption” of cigarettes and bidis and investigates their relation with each other. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted in four states of India (Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra) as a part of the International Tobacco Control Policy (TCP) Evaluation Project (the TCP India Project) during 2010–2011. METHODS: Information was collected from adult (aged ≥15) daily exclusive smokers of cigarette/bidi regarding (a) last purchase (purchase in pack/loose, brand and price) and (b) daily consumption. Average unit price and daily consumption was calculated for different brands and states. Regression model was used to assess the impact of price on daily consumption. RESULTS: Bidis were much less expensive (₹0.39) than cigarettes (₹3.1). The daily consumption was higher (14) among bidi smokers than cigarette smokers (8). The prices and daily consumption of bidis (₹0.33–0.43; 12–15) and cigarettes (₹2.9–3.6; 5–9) varied across the four states. The unit prices of bidis and cigarettes did not influence their daily consumption. Smokers purchasing bidis in packs paid substantially less per unit and purchase of bidis and cigarettes in packs influenced their consumption positively. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarettes although more expensive than bidis, seem very cheap if compared internationally. Hence, prices of both cigarettes and bidis do not influence their consumption.

Women and tobacco: A cross sectional study from North India.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a leading risk factor for different types of diseases globally. Tobacco smoking by women is culturally unacceptable in India, but still women smoke tobacco at various times of their life. AIMS: The aim was to estimate the prevalence and pattern of tobacco use among women and to study the associated sociodemographic factors. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross‑sectional study was conducted among women aged 30 years or over in an urban resettlement colony for the migrant population at Chandigarh, India. METHODOLOGY: The study included women used tobacco products on one or more days within the past 30 days. Through systematic random sampling, 262 women were studied. As a part of the study 144 bidi smoking women were interviewed using detailed semi‑structured questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing with Chi‑squared test and logistic regression were done using SPSS 16.0 version. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of tobacco use was 29.4% and that of bidi, zarda and hookah were 19.8%, 8.8%, and 2.7%, respectively. Around 6.2% women used tobacco during pregnancy. Teenage was the most common age of initiation of bidi smoking. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of tobacco use was high among Hindu unemployed women with no formal education belonged to scheduled caste, and those having grandchildren. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlighted high rates of tobacco use and explored both individual and family factors related to tobacco use among women. Affordable, culturally acceptable, sustainable and gender‑sensitive individual and community‑specific interventions will reduce the prevalence and effects of tobacco use.

Dual use of tobacco among Bangladeshi men.

INTRODUCTION: Dual use of tobacco (using smoking and smokeless forms) in Bangladesh is uncommon in women but common in men. Dual users are at additional risk of cancers and heart diseases compared with a single form of tobacco use. Knowledge about their socioeconomic background is necessary for planning appropriate interventions. We report here socioeconomic background of the dual users of tobacco from a nationally representative survey. METHODS: The study adopted a probability proportionate to size sampling technic of divisional population stratified into urban and rural areas to recruit men aged 25 years or older from their households. A total of 4312 men were recruited. Variables included questions on 20 household assets, tobacco use and other behavioral risk factors, and measurement of body weight and height. RESULTS: The average age of dual users was 46.7 years old compared to 43.4 and 52.3 years for smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Prevalence of “smoking only,” “smokeless only” and “dual use” of tobacco was 40.6%, 15.2%, and 14.2%, respectively. Among all tobacco users, dual users constituted 20%. These dual users had lower educational achievement, rural residence, lower intake of fruit, and higher intake of alcohol. They were more undernourished as indicated by a thin body mass index compared to nonusers and smokers. Dual users were of socioeconomically deprived as measured by wealth quartiles constructed out of household assets. CONCLUSION: Dual use of tobacco is common in Bangladesh, and it is intimately linked with socioeconomic deprivation. Poverty reduction strategy and campaigns should address tobacco control not only tobacco in general, but its dual use in particular.

Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco use in four countries of the World Health Organization: South-East Asia region: Findings from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is a leading cause of deaths and Disability Adjusted Life Years lost worldwide, particularly in South‑East Asia. Health risks associated with exclusive use of one form of tobacco alone has a different health risk profile when compared to dual use. In order to tease out specific profiles of mutually exclusive categories of tobacco use, we carried out this analysis. METHODS: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data was used to describe the profiles of three mutually exclusive tobacco use categories (“Current smoking only,” “Current smokeless tobacco [SLT] use only,” and “Dual use”) in four World Health Organization South‑East Asia Region countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand. GATS was a nationally representative household‑based survey that used a stratified multistage cluster sampling design proportional to population size. Prevalence of different forms of usage were described as proportions. Logistics regression analyses was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. All analyses were weighted, accounted for the complex sampling design and conducted using SPSS version 18. RESULTS: The prevalence of different forms of tobacco use varied across countries. Current tobacco use ranged from 27.2% in Thailand to 43.3% in Bangladesh. Exclusively smoking was more common in Indonesia (34.0%) and Thailand (23.4%) and less common in Bangladesh (16.1%) and India (8.7%). Exclusively using SLT was more common in Bangladesh (20.3%) and India (20.6%) and less common on Indonesia (0.9%) and Thailand (3.5%). Dual use of smoking and SLT was found in Bangladesh (6.8%) and India (5.3%), but was negligible in Indonesia (0.8) and Thailand (0.4%). Gender, age, education and wealth had significant effects on the OR for most forms of tobacco use across all four countries with the exceptions of SLT use in Indonesia and dual use in both Indonesia and Thailand. In general, the different forms of tobacco use increased among males and with increasing age; and decreased with higher education and wealth. The results for urban versus rural residence were mixed and frequently not significant once controlling for the other demographic factors. CONCLUSION: This study addressed the socioeconomic disparities, which underlie health inequities due to tobacco use. Tobacco control activities in these countries should take in account local cultural, social and demographic factors for successful implementation.

Understanding pattern and trends in use of tobacco in India.

Tobacco smoking has been in vogue for hundreds of years. With the spread of tobacco to Europe and other parts of the world from the sixteenth century, tobacco smoking soon gained popularity in India. Tobacco consumption is responsible for half of all the cancers in men and a quarter of all cancers in women in India.' This is in addition to being a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases.2 3 India also has one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, partly attributed to high preva lence of tobacco chewing.4-7The World Health Organization predicts that tobacco deaths in India may exceed I .5 million annually by 2020. 8 It has been observed that a signi6cant rural-urban-slum-urban gradient for tobacco use among men as well as women exists in India. There are different, and opposing, trends for use of smoked tobacco (more in rural areas) and smokeless tobacco (more in urban area) among men. However it has been observed that among women, the consumption of smokeless tobacco does not vary significantly.

Prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia / Prevalência de tabagismo e fatores que o influenciam em estudantes de medicina e outros universitários em Tbilisi, Geórgia

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is a serious problem that has a devastating impact on health. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as to determine whether medical education has an impact on smoking. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Tbilisi State Medical University and Tbilisi State University, both of which are located in Tbilisi, Georgia. A total of 400 4th-year students (200 students at each university) were asked to complete standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the sample as a whole, 48.75% were identified as smokers and 51.25% were identified as nonsmokers. The mean age was 20.24 years among smokers and 20.26 years among nonsmokers. Of the medical students, 49.5% were smokers, as were 48.0% of the non-medical students. The male-to-female ratio in the study population was 0.9:1.1. Smoking was found to have a strong relationship with gender, males accounting for 65% of all smokers. Of the smokers, 56.9% stated that they would like to quit smoking (for health or financial reasons). Of the medical students, 59.5% expressed a willingness to quit smoking, as did 54.2% of the non-medical students. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to improve smoking education for undergraduate students. Special attention should be given to the inclusion of anti-smoking education in undergraduate curricula, as well as to the implementation of smoking prevention campaigns at institutions of higher education. However, such measures will be effective only if tobacco control policies are strictly enforced on the national level as well. .

OBJETIVO: O tabagismo é um problema sério, cujo impacto na saúde é devastador. O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência do tabagismo e os fatores que o influenciam em estudantes de medicina e outros universitários em Tbilisi, Geórgia, bem como determinar se a educação médica tem impacto no tabagismo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal na Universidade Médica Estadual de Tbilisi e na Universidade Estadual de Tbilisi, ambas em Tbilisi, Geórgia. Pedimos a 400 alunos de quarto ano (200 em cada universidade) que respondessem a questionários padronizados. RESULTADOS: Do total da amostra, 48,75% eram fumantes e 51,25% eram não fumantes. A média de idade dos fumantes foi de 20,24 anos e a dos não fumantes foi de 20,26 anos. Dos estudantes de medicina, 49,5% eram fumantes, assim como o eram 48,0% dos universitários que não estudavam medicina. A razão entre os gêneros masculino e feminino foi de 0,9:1,1. O tabagismo apresentou forte relação com o gênero; 65% dos fumantes eram do sexo masculino. Dos fumantes, 56,9% disseram que gostariam de parar de fumar (por motivos de saúde ou financeiros). Dos estudantes de medicina, 59,5% disseram que estavam dispostos a parar de fumar, assim como o disseram 54,2% dos universitários que não estudavam medicina. CONCLUSÕES: É preciso melhorar a educação sobre o tabagismo nas universidades. Deve-se dar atenção especial à inclusão de educação antitabagismo no currículo das universidades e à implantação de campanhas de prevenção ao tabagismo em instituições de ensino superior. Entretanto, essas medidas só serão eficazes se as políticas de controle do tabaco forem rigorosamente observadas também em nível nacional. .

Tobacco Smoking, Cigarette Butt Smoking: Markers for Early Intervention in Adolescents at School Level.

Introduction: Tobacco use in children and adolescents is reaching pandemic levels. The World Bank has reported that nearly 82,000-99,000 children and adolescents all over the world begin smoking every day. WHO Fact Sheet May 2010 reported the annual death toll of five million could rise to eight million by 2030 unless an urgent action is taken to control this “epidemic”. Preventive strategies are needed to be initiated on urgent basis focused towards adolescents. There is difficulty to enforce the laws and implementing preventive programs in the developing countries like India. Due to some constraints the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI) is facing defeat in the third world. This study was conducted in high school students of Hapur, Ghaziabad (Dist.) of U.P. to identify the various correlates which induce these impressionable young adolescent minds to indulge in the use of tobacco. Material & Methods: Eight hundred seven high school children aged 12-18 years were surveyed by using an anonymous pre-tested self-report questionnaire. Personal indulgence in tobacco use over the period of one year was measured. A three point scale (yes / no / don’t know) was used. Consent / assent were duly taken from the student / teachers / principal. Results were tabulated and analysed. Results: The overall prevalence of smoking was found to be 31.97%. The use rate of tobacco was 53.53%. Among the tobacco users 59.72% were smokers. The prevalence of current smoking among tobacco users is 59.72%. The prevalence of smoking was 76.74% among male students and 23.25% amongst girls. Age of smoking initiation in both genders was mostly in 14+- 16 years. Parental (father) influence of smoking was noted to the extent of 36.04% in boys and 13.95% in girls, influence of teacher’s smoking was 39.90% in males but much less in females (23.25%). Poor academic performance and prolonged TV watching was noted as factor in both the genders. Even 13.95% females without pocket money indulged in the habit by using discarded cigarette butts (75%) which are freely available. Butt smoking was also found in boys (40%). They were aware that this habit was bad, yet indulged in it, indicating that curiosity (55% F) and peer pressure (56.56% M) and addictive nature of substance. Advertisements and promotional campaigns, mimicking their role model, were an important source of initiation of habit in both genders. Feeling of freedom from inhibitions and in females possible weight reduction to improve the looks also accounted for the habit was also noted. Our study highlights behavioural pattern of smoking as also the various factors identifying the first use and its perpetration up to habituation/ addiction. Monetary considerations and low availability of pocket money were found to be circumvented by the habit of using the discarded cigarette butts which are available for free, avoids detection, contains ash, partially burnt tobacco and paper, carbon particles, filter tissue, cellulose acetate etc. with harmful effects on lungs and other yet unidentified adverse health effects. The butt use was found in males (41.93%) and females (62.5%) and save them from deleterious effects of tobacco smoking. Conclusion: The markers thus identified in this study provide basis for early appropriate intervention of vulnerable school population and help in identification of modifiable risk factors and psychosocial clusters to provide the basis for intervention.

Cigarette, water pipe, and medwakh smoking prevalence among applicants to Abu Dhabi's pre-marital screening program, 2011

This study assesses self reported tobacco use prevalence [cigarette, water pipe, and medwakh] among applicants to Abu Dhabi's Premarital Screening program during 2011. Premarital Screening data reported to the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi from April to December 2011 were utilized to estimate tobacco use prevalence among applicants. Smoking prevalence was examined by nationality, age group and gender. Overall, 24.7% of Premarital Screening Program applicants were current smokers; 11.5% smoked cigarettes, 5.9% smoked medwakh [hand held pipe], 4.8% smoked water pipe and 2.5% smoked a combination [more than one type]. Men [19.2%] were more likely than women [3.5%] to be current cigarette smokers. Women were much less likely to smoke medwakh [0.1%] than men [11.5%], with male UAE Nationals having the highest medwakh smoking prevalence [16.1%]. The overall prevalence of water pipe smoking was 6.8% among men and 2.8% for women with the highest water pipe smoking prevalence [10.2%] among Arab expatriate men. Variations in tobacco use prevalence among Premarital Screening Program applicants reflect preferences for different modes of tobacco consumption by nationality, age group and gender. Enforcement of tobacco control laws, including implementation of clean indoor air laws and tobacco tax increases, and targeted health education programs are required to reduce tobacco consumption and concomitant tobacco related morbidity and mortality.

Local responses to the Maharashtra gutka and pan masala ban: A report from Mumbai.

Background: The Maharashtra government has banned the production, sale, distribution and storage of gutka, and pan masala in the Maharashtra State due to the increasing burden of cancer and reproductive health problems attributable to the use of these products. In view of this, it is important to understand the way producers', sellers' and users' are adapting to the ban. Objective: During the two months following the ban (July 19 th through Sept 30, 2012), a research team studying smokeless tobacco use and promotion in a low income community of Mumbai conducted rapid surveillance to assess the impact of the ban in the study community. Materials and Methods: Assessment involved documenting new points of sale, informal observations of tobacco use, and interviews with thirteen shop owners and eight gutka users'. Overall changes in accessibility, availability, patterns of use of tobacco products, perception of ban, social norms and surveillance activities were assessed. Results: Tobacco companies were marketing new products that resembled gutka, under similar brand logos. Surveillance, financial and social cost of selling gutka or using it in public have had an immediate effect on reducing local supply, demand and use and increasing stigma associated with its use. There was an increased recognition of ill-effects of gutka on cancer among sellers' but not overall. Conclusions : To reduce the overall consumption of tobacco in the community, it is critical to include programs that create awareness about effects of smokeless tobacco on health and sustain surveillance levels. This would maintain requirements of the ban, and sustain limits on accessibility, availability and use of these products in the community and other similar communities.

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

Background: Identifying social disparities in patterns of tobacco use with regard to education, occupation, and gender characteristics can provide valuable insights into the tobacco use patterns of the population. Aim: We assessed social disparities in tobacco use, smoking, and smokeless tobacco use by examining occupation-, education-, and gender-specific patterns. Setting: About 69,030 Indian residents ΃15 years in 29 States and 2 Union Territories (UT). Design: Three-stage sampling in urban areas and two-stage sampling in rural areas for selection of households. Materials and Methods: Data has been derived from GATS 2009-2010, wherein the sample was collected through household interviews. Statistical Analysis: Percentages, proportions, adjusted odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Results: As a person entered adulthood, the prevalence of ever tobacco use increased by 51.5% among men and 28.8% among women. Prevalence was 2.5 times higher in men (mainly smoking) as compared to women (predominantly smokeless form). ORs for tobacco use were higher among illiterate respondents as compared to the college educated (male OR = 4.23, female OR = 8.15). Unemployed, able to work (male OR = 1.50, female OR = 1.23) showed highest risk, while students (male OR = 0.35, female OR = 0.52) showed the least. The combined effect of occupation and education showed synergistic interaction among females and antagonistic interaction among males. Conclusion: The study clearly underscores the individual and joint effects of education and occupation on tobacco use besides discussing variations based on gender. This can have far-reaching policy implications in addressing disparities in tobacco use.

Profile of dual tobacco users in India: An analysis from Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 2009-10.

Introduction: Individuals who use both smoked and smokeless tobacco products (dual tobacco users) form a special group about which little is known. This group is especially relevant to India, where smokeless tobacco use is very common. The aim of this study was to characterise the profile of dual users, study their pattern of initiation to the second product, their attitudes toward quittingas well as their cessation profile. Methods and Materials: The GATS dataset for India was analyzed using SPSS; . Results: In India, dual tobacco users (42.3 million; 5.3% of all adults; 15.4% of all tobacco users) have a profile similar to that of smokers. Some 52.6% of dual users started both practices within 2 years. The most prevalent product combination was bidi-khaini (1.79%) followed by bidi-gutka (1.50%), cigarette-khaini (1.28%), and cigarette-gutka (1.22%). Among daily users, the correlation between the daily frequencies of the use of each product was very high for most product combinations. While 36.7% of dual users were interested in quitting, only 5.0% of dual users could do so. The prevalence of ex-dual users was 0.4%. Conclusion: Dual users constitute a large, high-risk group that requires special attention.

Smokeless tobacco use in Sri Lanka.

To comprehensively review the issues of smokeless tobacco use in Sri Lanka . This review paper is based on a variety of sources including Medline, WHO documents, Ministry of Health and Nutrition, Colombo and from other sources. Results: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in Sri Lanka has been reported high, especially among rural and disadvantaged groups. Different smokeless tobacco products were not only widely available but also very affordable. An increasing popularity of SLT use among the youth and adolescents is a cause for concern in Sri Lanka. There were evidences of diverse benign, premalignant, and malignant oral diseases due to smokeless tobacco use in the country. The level of awareness about health risks related to the consumption of smokeless tobacco products was low, particularly among the people with low socio-economic status. In Sri Lanka various forms of smokeless tobacco products, some of them imported, are used. At the national level, 15.8% used smokeless tobacco products and its use is three-fold higher among men compared to women. Betel quid is by far the traditional form in which tobacco is a general component. Other manufactured tobacco products include pan parag/pan masala, Mawa, Red tooth powder, Khaini, tobacco powder, and Zarda. Some 8.6% of the youth are current users of smokeless tobacco. There are studies demonstrating the harmful effects of smokeless tobacco use, especially on the oral mucosa, however, the level of awareness of this aspect is low. The highest mean expenditure on betel quid alone in rural areas for those earning Rs. 5,000/month was Rs. 952. The core issue is the easy availability of these products. To combat the smokeless tobacco problem, public health programs need to be intensified and targeted to vulnerable younger age groups. Another vital approach should be to levy higher taxation.

Smokeless tobacco use in Myanmar.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use in various forms is highly prevalent in Myanmar. The aim of this paper is to study the socio-cultural background of SLT use and products of SLT in Myanmar and the prevalence of SLT based on surveys and from other published data bases. Information was obtained from the literature review and through search on PubMed and Google. The use of SLT is deep rooted in Myanmar culture, and there is also wide-spread belief that it is not as dangerous as smoking. SLT use is growing in Myanmar. About 9.8% of the 13-15-year-old school children and 20.8% adults use SLT; it is many-fold higher among men. The use of SLT is prevalent using many different types of tobacco and forms of its use in Myanmar. The socio-cultural acceptance and the myths were compounded by the lack of specific SLT control component in the National Tobacco Control Legislation adopted needs to be addressed as a priority through intensified community awareness programs, public education programs, and advocacy campaigns. Effective enforcement of the law and amendment to include specific components of SLT in the provisions of the law is highly recommended. The prevalence of SLT is high among school children and adults (especially in men) in Myanmar. Betel quid and tobacco is a common form of SLT use. Although control of smoking and consumption of tobacco product law exists, its implementation is weak.

Prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among adults in WHO South-East Asia.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is an understudied problem in South-East Asia. Information on SLT use among the adult population was collected from various available sources. SLT use prevalence varies among countries in the region. The prevalence of SLT use is known for all countries at national level in the region with the exception of Bhutan and DPR Korea. For Bhutan, data pertains to Thimphu only. There is no available data on SLT use for DPR Korea. Using all available data from Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, SLT use was found to be higher among males as compared to females; however, in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand, SLT use was higher among females as compared to males. Among males, prevalence of SLT use varied from 51.4% in Myanmar to 1.1% in Thailand. Among females, the prevalence of SLT use varied from 27.9% in Bangladesh to 1.9% in Timor-Leste. The prevalence also varies in different parts of countries. For instance, the prevalence of current use of SLT in India ranges from 48.7% in Bihar to 4.5% in Himachal Pradesh. In Thailand, prevalence of current use of tobacco use varies from 0.8% in Bangkok to over 4% in the northern (4.1%) and northeastern (4.7%) region. Among all SLT products, betel quid was the most commonly used product in most countries including Bangladesh (24.3%) and Thailand (1.8%). However, Khaini (11.6%) chewing was practiced most commonly in India. Nearly 5% of the adult population used tobacco as dentifrice in Bangladesh and India. SLT is more commonly used in rural areas and among disadvantaged groups. Questions from standard "Tobacco Questions for Surveys (TQS)" need to be integrated in routine health system surveys in respective countries to obtain standardized tobacco use data at regular intervals that will help in providing trends of SLT use in countries.