An epidemiological study for evaluation of oral precancerous lesions, conditions and oral cancer among Belgaum population with tobacco habits

Tobacco use is a major health hazard in India. Tobacco is used for smoking as well as in smokeless form. Tobacco contains chemical nicotine that causes a tingly or good feeling but that feeling only lasts for a little while. Nicotine is addictive. Research on the effects of tobacco on oral mucosa has proved that tobacco in all forms is carcinogenic and poses health risks to everyone exposed to it. The present study was conducted with an objective of building a database on prevalence of tobacco use amongst Belgaum people and the incidence of precancerous lesions, conditions and oral cancer amongst these people, for planning tobacco control intervention.