Pattern of Smokeless Tobacco Initiation and Use among School Going Adolescents in Delhi, India: A Mixed Method Study.

Introduction: With growing trends in tobacco consumption, it has been observed that the age of initiation is gradually decreasing. To combat the deep-rooted problem of the Society, we need to target the adolescents at the time of their first consumption of tobacco forms. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the pattern of smokeless tobacco use among school going adolescents in senior secondary schools with the assessment of the sociodemographic factors responsible for initiation of smokeless tobacco use by adolescents.

Prevalence and Social Contextual Factors of Smokeless Tobacco Use: Insights from Schools of Delhi, India.

Background: It was observed that adult users start tobacco use in childhood or adolescence. The influence of digital and print media, social acceptance among peers, and in order to mimic role models from films attracts youth towards tobacco. Hence this study was conducted to assess the prevalence of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among school-going adolescents with the assessment of the influencing factors such as exposure at school, home, and public places along with the role of various media in SLT use by adolescents.