Study of Vitamin B12, Folic Acid and Related Hematological Indices in Tobacco Users.

ABSTRACT

Tobacco use among youth is a major public health problem around the world. It kills millions of people worldwide, causes immense suffering, and also has enormous economic and social cost. A study was conducted to find out the effect of tobacco use on serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels and related hematological indices and to find the correlation between duration of tobacco use, socioeconomic and education status with serum vitamin B12 and folic acid levels. It was seen that levels of vitamin B12, folic acid were significantly lower in tobacco users. Further, this level was lowest in subjects who consumed both chewable and smoked tobacco and lower in smokers in comparison to chewers.