Lucknow: One in five govt school students in the city consumes tobacco, with easy availability near schools, family habits and media exposure as key triggers, experts at KGMU said ahead of World No Tobacco Day.Citing a study by the public health dentistry department, experts said a survey of 836 students of classes 8 to 10 from six govt schools in the city found that 181 students (21.7%) consumed tobacco, with most starting between the ages of 12 and 13. The study was published in the Indian Journal of Community Health.Dr Vinay Kumar Gupta, who led the survey, said the findings highlight gaps in enforcement of anti-tobacco laws and growing exposure of children to tobacco products.Among the 181 tobacco users, 87 (48.3%) consumed supari mixed with tobacco, making it the most commonly used product, followed by pan masala. The rest used different forms, cigarettes and vaping, etc. The study also found that 170 of the 836 students (20.3%) consumed supari or areca nut without tobacco, which experts said could act as a gateway habit.The study highlighted the role of family environment. More than half of the students reported that family members used tobacco at home, while 305 students (36.5%) said they were sent to buy tobacco products. Children living with tobacco users were more than three times as likely to consume tobacco.Easy availability near schools was another concern, with nearly 585 students (about 70%) reporting the presence of tobacco vendors outside their schools, indicating poor enforcement of Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA) norms that prohibit tobacco sales within 100 yards of educational institutions.Media exposure also played a role, with around 80% (145) users reporting seeing tobacco use in movies or television during the previous 30 days. Those attracted to such depictions were more likely to consume tobacco.The survey further found that despite age restrictions, many minors could purchase tobacco products, with only about half reporting being refused sale because of their age.Nishita Kankane and Dr Gaurav Mishra said lack of awareness about the harms of second-hand smoke also contributed to tobacco use among adolescents.Dr Shivendra Kumar Singh stressed stricter monitoring of tobacco sales around schools, stronger enforcement of COTPA and greater parental awareness, saying that reducing exposure at home, public places and in media is key to preventing early addiction.
