title: Smokeless tobacco consumption in the South Asian population of Sydney, Australia: prevalence, correlates and availability.
abstract: AIM.: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of smokeless tobacco consumption among the South Asian residents of Sydney, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pretested, self-administered mailed questionnaire among members of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi community associations in Sydney.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1600 individuals invited to participate, 419 responded (26%). Prevalence rates of ever consumption, more than 100 times consumption and current consumption were 72.1%, 65.9% and 17.1%, respectively. Men (74.3%) were more likely to ever consume than women (67.6%). Over 96% of consumers reported buying smokeless tobacco products from ethnic shops in Sydney. Current consumption of smokeless tobacco products was associated with country of birth: Indians (odds ratio 5.7, 95% confidence interval 2.3-14.5) and Pakistanis (odds ratio 3.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-6.5) were more likely to be current consumers than Bangladeshis after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. For ever consumption, there was a positive association with age (P for trend=0.013) and male gender (odds ratio 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.5-3.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the availability of smokeless tobacco and the high prevalence and potential adverse health consequences of consumption, smokeless tobacco consumption may produce a considerable burden of non-communicable disease in Australia. Effective control measures are needed, in particular enforcement of existing laws prohibiting the sale of these products.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohammad Shakhawat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Kypros
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kypri
authors.forename: Bayzidur
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Abul Hasnat
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Milton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: South Asian population; Sydney; chewing tobacco; smokeless tobacco