Awareness and attitude towards tobacco products and tobacco industry, and perception about government’s role in tobacco control, among the adult rural population: A cross-sectional study from the Indian state of Bihar

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India

2 Department of Community and Family medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, India

Abstract

Background

Attitudes and impressions toward tobacco-products and the tobacco-industry among the general public are important determinants for curbing the menace of the tobacco epidemic. This study was designed with the objectives to assess the knowledge and perceptions about tobacco-industry and tobacco-products and study attitudes toward social denormalization (SD) of tobacco use and tobacco industry denormalization (TID) among rural population of Bihar.

Methods

This community‑based cross‑sectional survey was conducted among 421 adults aged 18–65 years who were selected using multi‑stage systematic random sampling in a rural area of Bihar during January-March 2023. Results were expressed in proportions and the factors associated with support for TID and SD were identified using chi-square test.

Results

Out of 421 participants, 342 (81.2 %) did not consider smokeless tobacco to be very dangerous. Nearly half (192, 45.6%) of the individuals believed that tobacco companies never tell the truth about the ill effects of tobacco use. Maximum, 345(89.5%) also believed that the tobacco industry is responsible for adverse health effects of tobacco use and that the government should sue them. The prevalence of favourable attitudes toward TID and SD was, respectively, found to be 55.1% [95% CI: 50.3% – 59.8%] and 38.2% [95% CI: 33.7% – 42.9%].

Conclusion

One out of every two and three individuals showed favourable attitudes toward TID and SD respectively. There is a need to inform and educate the public on the ill effects of tobacco and the deceptive strategies used by the tobacco industry, to help them choose health over tobacco

Keywords

Addiction & Health

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 April 2024

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