Determinants of smoking and chewing habits among rural school children in Bankura district of West Bengal, India

Objectives The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of smoking and chewing habits and causes of addiction among the school children of rural areas. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in four secondary schools from rural areas of Bankura District, West Bengal during August 2012 to September 2012. Total 1674 students studying in 5 to 10 standard (age group of 10-15 years) were enrolled in the present study. A self-administered questionnaire was applied for data collection. Results The study showed that 18.45%, 27.95% and 67.56% of the students were smokers, chewer and non-addicted, respectively. Considerable number of boys were addicted with smoking (boys 32.3% vs 4.33girls %) and chewing habits (boys 43.53% vs 12.15girls %). In case of boys, these habits were increased with advancement of ages. Students were more attracted to bidi and tobacco with panmasala among different types of smoking and chewing agents. The most familiar reasons for tobacco user were: influenced by friends (22.88%), influenced by family members (16.32%) and stress relief (10.88%). Conclusion This study indicated that smoking and chewing habits among school children in rural areas is looming public health issue. Adverse health effect of tobacco use may be incorporated in school secondary curriculum to change the attraction with tobacco among the young generation.