Insights into Smoking and its Cessation among Current Smokers in India

Background: Initiation, perpetuation and cessation of smoking are all multifactorial. It is essential to explore interactions among various parameters influencing smoking and its cessation for effective smoking cessation interventions. Objectives: To obtain insights into smoking and its cessation among current smokers in India. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted among current smokers visiting the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal University, Mangalore. Knowledge, attitudes, behavior, worksite practices towards smoking and its cessation, barriers to smoking cessation and socio-demographic variables were explored using a structured, pretested, self-administered questionnaire. Results: A total of 175 current smokers participated in the study. Mean knowledge, attitude, worksite practice and barrier scores were 15.2 +/- 5.67 (66.1%), 57.5 +/- 7.67(82.1%), 4.18 +/- 2.02 (41.8%) and 57.4 +/- 12.37 (63.7%) respectively. Correlation analysis revealed: association of knowledge with education, occupation and religion; attitude with education and occupation; worksite practices with occupation; knowledge with attitude; and barriers negatively with worksite practices. The majority (85.7%) of respondents intended to quit smoking and this was associated with higher attitude scores, whereas actual quit attempts were associated with high knowledge, attitudes, worksite practices and low barrier scores. Conclusions: Various socio-demographic factors associated with smoking and its cessation were identified. The present study highlights the importance of identifying and targeting these interactions while framing guidelines and interventions for effective tobacco cessation in a developing country like India.