Tobacco Use Among Government and Public School Students in the Sangam Vihar Area of South Delhi

Year : 2024 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 01 | Page : 1-5
    By

    Firdaus Anis,

  1. Lecturer, Department of Tahaffuzi-Wa-Samaji Tibb, State Unani Medical College, Prayagraj. Uttar Pradesh, India., Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The most fundamental right inherent to all human beings, as recognized in international law, is the right to health. Men and women worldwide prioritize good health as their top aspiration when asked to rank their desires. Currently, one of the most significant global challenges to achieving this desire is the widespread epidemic of tobacco use. This exceptional epidemic is notable not just for its magnitude but also for its characteristics. In certain aspects, it presents challenges that are even more formidable than those posed by conventional public health issues Unlike concerns related to hygiene or insufficient nutrition, this epidemic revolves around a potent addiction and deeply entrenched beliefs and values. The rising issue of tobacco use among adolescents is particularly significant in developing nations such as India. This epidemiological study aimed to determine the frequency of tobacco usage among students in schools. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in school using a self-administered questionnaire developed by the WHO for Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). This study was carried out on a total of 916 (63.8% boys and 36.2% girls) students in two schools (461 students from Government Schools and 455 students from public schools). 13.3% of students were tobacco users (11.9% in government and 14.7% in public school); of them, 50.9% of students started their first tobacco use before 12 or 13 yrs. age (2.5 % at the age of 7 years or below). 4.7% of students (3.3% in government schools and 6.2% in public schools) were current tobacco users (consumed tobacco in the last 30 days of the survey); out of these, 67.4% of students were chewing tobacco (57.7% in government school and 60.7% in public school). The majority (88.4%) of students want to quit smoking/chewing tobacco. More than 50% (62.8%) of students of current tobacco users purchase their tobacco products from shops/stores and 67.4% reported that they had not been refused purchase because of their age. The prevalence of tobacco use in this study and the majority of students wanting to quit this habit indicate the need for tobacco control and the secession program should be strictly conducted in the community. The discovery of unrestricted access and availability of tobacco products to students highlights the need to reassess the enforcement of laws regarding the sale of tobacco products to minors.

Keywords: Ever tobacco use, Current tobacco use, Global Youth Tobacco Survey, Tobacco control.

[This article belongs to Research & Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences ]

How to cite this article:
Firdaus Anis. Tobacco Use Among Government and Public School Students in the Sangam Vihar Area of South Delhi. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2024; 14(01):1-5.
How to cite this URL:
Firdaus Anis. Tobacco Use Among Government and Public School Students in the Sangam Vihar Area of South Delhi. Research & Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2024; 14(01):1-5. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjols/article=2024/view=137157



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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 01
Received 04/03/2024
Accepted 18/03/2024
Published 30/03/2024
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