Beyond the puff: unravelling patterns and predictors of tobacco usage among adolescents and youth in Delhi, India.

OBJECTIVES

Tobacco use remains a significant public health concern, particularly among youth, who are at a higher risk of developing long-term addiction and related health complications. The early initiation of tobacco use, often during adolescence and young adulthood, contributes to the prevalence of smoking-related diseases later in life. Despite various anti-tobacco initiatives, the consumption of tobacco products continues to be widespread among young people. Understanding the patterns, and predictors, of tobacco use in this demographic is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco use among youth, and identify key risk factors, in this vulnerable population.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 675 undergraduate students at five selected colleges in Delhi using a two-stage stratified random sampling method. Data were collected through a pre-designed, pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire, incorporating validated tobacco-related questions from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0. Chi-square tests were used to compare sociodemographic variables between tobacco users and non-users, while bivariate and multivariable logistic regression identified factors influencing tobacco use.

RESULTS

Of the 675 college students studied the mean age of participants was 19.62 years (SD ± 1.33), 52.6 % were females and 47.4 % males. The overall prevalence of ever and current tobacco use was 38.9 % and 23.7 %, respectively. Cigarettes were reported as the most commonly used tobacco product, with 33 % of participants reporting ever smoking and 20.3 % being current smokers. Hookah was the second most popular, with 27.9 % and 12 % students reporting ever and current use. Lifetime/Ever use of e-cigarettes and smokeless tobacco was reported by 14.7 % and 5.3 %, respectively, while current use was low for both (2.4 % and 2.1 %). Multivariate analysis revealed that current tobacco use was significantly associated with academic performance, living away from parents, substance use, high psychological distress, and the father's educational status.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight a relatively high prevalence of tobacco use among college students, particularly in urban areas, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions. Cigarettes ranked as the top choice of tobacco product among the study population, underlining the urgency for health professionals, educators, and policymakers to implement specific strategies aimed at preventing tobacco use among youth.