Mumbai paper clip: ‘One in every sixth child aged 14-17 yrs consumes tobacco’

Interestingly, the report says, more prevalence of tobacco use was found in children whose father had pursued higher education.

Of the various drugs abused, the most widely distributed and commonly used drug in the world is ‘tobacco’. A study titled “Prevalence of Tobacco Consumption in School Going Adolescent Boys in Urban Slum of Mumbai”, conducted by doctors of R N Cooper Hospital, has found that one in every sixth child in Mumbai has been consuming tobacco.

A total of 183 students studying in Class VIII-X participated in the study and their mean age was 15 years.
Interestingly, the report says, more prevalence of tobacco use was found in children whose father had pursued higher education.

The study found the prevalence of tobacco use at 17.5 per cent. Overall, smokeless tobacco use was higher than smoking. Gutkha was the most common form of tobacco used, followed by cigarettes, khaini, beedi and masheri.

It was observed that 6.6 per cent of the respondents were regular users and 6 per cent were occasional users. While 2.2 per cent were found to be past users, 2.5 per cent were experimental users. There was an increase in the prevalence of tobacco use with the increase in age up to 15 year.

Nearly 45 per cent of the respondents who smoked bought tobacco themselves, followed by 35 per cent who got tobacco from friends and 20 per cent who took tobacco from their parents or siblings.

The report says many social, economic and political factors have contributed to the global spread of tobacco consumption. “The fast changing social milieus, social sanctions and other factors are mainly contributing to this proliferation and has posed serious challenge to individuals, families, societies and nations. Tobacco use is a major worldwide public health problem,” says the study.

Zeeshan Shaikh

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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