The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Study incidence of tobacco use and its' health effects among workers of eateries and impact of awareness programs on tobacco consumption

Methods: 1.Eatery based cross sectional survey of 3,572 workers in restaurants and hotels was done. Questionnaire based CRF, Tobacco usage details, FTND scoring,physical examinations and CO monitoring(smokers) done. 2. Program conducted by CD presentation ,poster display and exposure with patients of tobacco related cancers. 3. Second program conducted after 6 weeks and impact evaluated. 4. CO monitoring done in card rooms,lobby,toilets,eating halls,restaurants,kitchens,reception and waiting lounges

Results: 87.6 % were males (3128), 53% (1658) tobacco users, 12.4% were females (444), 42 %( 186) tobacco users. Oral chewing & smoking commoner in males, Smokeless tobacco commoner in females.37% had physical ailments viz.Otalgia,Bronchitis,allergy,Asthma,hypertension,PVD,Leukoplakia,Cancer etc. Awareness programs led to 56% reduction in current tobacco use,38% decline in current smoking ,44% decrease in current use of some form of tobacco products. ETS level high in eateries CO 6-10 ppm(48%) with no physical separation of smoking areas, Above 10 ppm in card rooms and workers' stay rooms. Ventilation had no effect on ETS,28% decline in ETS in eating halls,9% decrease in work areas. 86% felt tobacco was harmful and they wished to quit. More workers exposed to anti tobacco messages (38%) than pro-tobacco messages (16%). 1 year later 1,000(28%) retained satisfactory knowledge of tobacco hazards. Conclusions: Anti-tobacco programs effective in tobacco control in Eatery workers.