Geo-spatial analysis of the tobacco consumption and cessation among working and non-working groups in India: Evidence from global adult tobacco survey-2, 2016-17

Consistent tobacco consumption by large segments of the Indian population has resulted in a significant health burden for the country. Historical and cultural influences have influenced tobacco use to a considerable extent. As a general observation, its consumption is seen to be more prevalent among educated and working individuals. Despite the reduction in the prevalence of smoking, data shows that the proportion of male smokers aged 15-69 years has increased substantially over the last 15 years. The focus of the present study is on a state-level geo-spatial analysis of tobacco consumption and its cessation in working and non-working groups in the Indian population. Cross-sectional data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016-17) for India were used for analysis. Descriptive statistics and geo-spatial analysis were carried out. The findings show that substance use is higher in the hilly and coastal parts of the Indian states. Tobacco consumption was highest in Sikkim, the North-Eastern, Eastern and the Central states of India. However, on a positive note, the findings also show that, due to tobacco control or prevention programmes, more than 60% of the people from both working and non-working groups living in these high consumption states (excluding Karnataka Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland and Manipur) were trying to quit the tobacco habit. Precisely targeted prevention and counselling services, nicotine replacement therapy, and medication are required to accelerate this trend. There is a need for more interventions to increase the present low levels of tobacco cessation.