Burden of Smoked and Smokeless Tobacco Consumption in India - Results from the Global adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS-India)- 2009-2010

Background: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) was carried out for systematically monitoring tobaccouse and for tracking key tobacco control indicators. Materials and
Methods: A total of 70,802 households, including42,647 in rural areas and 28,155 in urban areas, were covered with a three stage sampling design. Data werecollected on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude and practices of tobacco consumption.
Results:GATS-India highlighted that total tobacco use among its residents is overall 34.6%, varying for males (47.9%)and females (20.7%). The rural areas of the country exhibit comparatively higher prevalence rates (38.4%) incomparison to urban areas (25.3%). Overall, Khaini, a smokeless tobacco product (12.0%), is the most popularform of tobacco use among males and females, followed by bidi smoking (9.0%).
Conclusion: Results of GATSdata can be used as baseline for evaluation of new tobacco control approaches in India integrating culturallyacceptable and cost effective measures.