The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: since past decade there is intense pressure by Anti-Tobacco activists about health hazards of tobacco. Many studies done on tobacco related health-hazards but limited data available about socio-economic impact in Asia. Asian region paid highest price here. This project analyses socio-economics of Tobacco use.

Methods: cardio-pulmonary manifestations of chronic tobacco are of serious concern. Since 1992 mortality & morbidity rate has upward trend of 4.3 % aggregate per annum. Data collected from local studies & analysed for assessment of economic impact by actual price per annum, expenditure on tobacco-induced health injury & passive smoking hazards, cost for tobacco-de-addiction programme. These clubbed to asses impact on GDP & social life of tobacco-addicts. Since 1992 sixteen tobacco control methods analysed. Target was tobacco consumers community from rural India divided in 11 groups on basis of economic/social/cultural & ethnic background.

Results: Tobacco consumption in rural areas 78%. 68% males [22-35 years], 20% males [35-50 years] & 11.3% females. 8.7% in health care workers. 77% using smoking, 26% are tobacco chewers [available as Ghutka & Paan]. Among smokers 77% were cigarett-smokers while 23% BIDI smokers.

Conclusion: cardio-pulmonary complications 78%, 20% psychological disorders, 15% nutritional deficiencies. Among chronic users 26% did report sexual impotence. calculations show expenditure of Rs. 17690 per-annum for smokers & Rs 10500 per-annum for tobacco chewers. Loss of life due to early death 1-4 years. This is threatening to grow at alarming rate of 5.2%. We discuss urgent need to highlight socio-economic destruction of tobacco use in resource-poor-nations .