Tobacco use and its determinants among 13-15 year old adolescents of two central government schools of New Delhi district

Background: The burden of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is on the rise globally as well as in India. Tobacco use is one of the important behavioural risk factors which can be recognized and modified at a young age. Objectives: To assess tobacco use among school going adolescents and to determine the factors affecting this NCD risk factor.Methods: The study was conducted among adolescents aged 13 years to 15 years studying in class eighth to tenth from two central government schools of New Delhi district. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from students and their parents. Data gathered from 438 students was analyzed using SPSS version 20.Results: 30 participants were found to ever use tobacco, and 25 were current users. Majority (17) ever tobacco users started using tobacco at 11 years or less. Tobacco use among family members, friends was found to be an important predictor for, ever and current tobacco use. Film actors were an important source of inspiration for tobacco use followed by family members and friends. Health education at school had a strong protective effect especially for current tobacco use.Conclusions: A decreasing age of initiation for tobacco use and a strong influence of family members were found. Greater emphasis on health education activities at school may help to decrease tobacco use among children. School based interventions involving families of students may help in controlling this behavioural risk factor.