Chew on this: Smokeless tobacco bigger threat than cigarettes

AHMEDABAD: A recent sample survey in the city of tobacco use in the 15 to 24 age group has revealed that a majority of people in this category are at greater risk of addiction to smokeless tobacco (such as tobacco that is chewed) than cigarettes. A large number of people in this category are teenagers and adults in their early years. The original sample used for the survey by a PhD scholar from Gujarat University's department of statistics included 3,243 individuals out of which 570 fell in the 15-24 year category.

"The number at risk of addiction to smokeless tobacco was 33.33% while that of smokers was 25.3%," said researcher Mamta Patel. She further said that children, especially teenagers, require intervention of their family members to check early addiction. "I had conducted a detailed survey of more than 3,000 tobacco users and found that almost all had taken to the addiction when they where in the 15-24 age group. This is a critical age group," Patel said.

There are several factors that affect tobacco use among adolescents. In some cases, it is the family history of tobacco use by elders. Then there is peer influence, desire to experiment, easy access to such products and emotional and psychosocial problems. AMC health official said that in an earlier survey, they had found that adolescents with poor parental support and more family control and conflict, are prematurely impelled to develop all kinds of anti-social activities, including tobacco use.

Lower self-esteem, dependence, powerlessness, and social isolation - all increase the tendency to become an addict, including tobacco use.

Various other surveys conducted in the country among youth have noted that those in late adolescents years, especially between 16 and 19 years, are particularly vulnerable to addiction due to increasing academic pressure, encouragement by peers, and easy availability.