Risk factors associated with tobacco habits among adolescents: a cross-sectional school-based study.
BACKGROUND
The increase in tobacco use among adolescents in India is fraught with serious public health implications. The knowledge of factors which influence this habit could assist in tackling this problem. Hence, we aimed to determine factors associated with tobacco use among school students.


METHODS
The increase in tobacco use among adolescents in India is fraught with serious public health implications. The knowledge of factors which influence this habit could assist in tackling this problem. Hence, we aimed to determine factors associated with tobacco use among school students.


RESULTS
Of the 4786 students, 'current tobacco use' was reported by 197 (4.1%) students; 107 (2.2%) were exclusive smokers, 49 (1%) were exclusive tobacco chewers and 41 (0.9%) used both forms of tobacco. Tobacco use was less frequent among children of white collar than blue collar fathers (p<0.05) and also among children of more educated than less educated mothers (p<0.05). Tobacco use of father, mother, siblings and friends had a significant association with the student's tobacco use. The habits were 10.6-, 6.4-, 3.1- fold higher among students if they bought tobacco for teachers, brothers, father/relatives, respectively. Among tobacco users, 31.5% adopted these habits to refresh themselves, 45.9% preferred smoking outside home and 61% were influenced by actors smoking in films.


CONCLUSIONS
Socioeconomic status, family and peer influence play an important role in students using tobacco.
Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (Indian Council of Medical Research), I-7, Sector 39, Near Degree College, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Raj
R
Narain
Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (Indian Council of Medical Research), I-7, Sector 39, Near Degree College, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Sarita
S
Sardana
Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (Indian Council of Medical Research), I-7, Sector 39, Near Degree College, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India, Division of Cytopathology.
Sanjay
S
Gupta
Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (Indian Council of Medical Research), I-7, Sector 39, Near Degree College, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301, India, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
Ashok
A
Sehgal
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*