Family not peers influence young tobacco users in Jamnagar

A study on tobacco consumption in school-going adolescent boys in Jamnagar found that family is the most influential factor that contributes to smoking in young, aspiring tobacco consumers. Friends and peers were the second most influence on boys as far as taking to tobacco was concerned.

The study on tobacco consumption practice in school going adolescent male of Jamnagar city was done by Dr Alpesh Patel and Dr Raman Damor. The study published in the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health found that tobacco consumption was high (81.91%) among adolescents who came from families that had at least one member who was a tobacco user.

The study covered 1600 boys from class 6 to 12 from various schools of the city.

The study also found that tobacco consumption by any family member was the biggest influence (91.24%) on such boys.

The study does not come as a surprise for Dr Chitrang Shah, a tobacco cessation expert with Apollo Hospital. "The fact that some elderly male member in the family smokes means a young child will think it is the right thing to do even if the elders were to preach differently. Children learn best by observation and this is why many children of tobacco users take to tobacco so easily," said Dr Shah.

He also warned that in many homes, children are victims of passive smoking. "This means if such children were to get addicted to smoking they would need more to get the same amount of pleasure that a first time user would get," warned Dr Shah.

Aneri Shah, a psycho oncologist at HCG cancer centre said when children see elders using tobacco it sort of normalises the addiction. "Children take it casually. They believe it is acceptable because an elder person is already doing it. It is called observational learning," said Shah.

"But at the same time if a child were to see someone constantly opposing the tobacco use habit of a family member then such opposition can also influence them in the right direction," said Shah.

OTHER INTERESTING FINDINGS

• 54.25% of surveyed boys used tobacco
   
• 63.87% of boys who admitted to tobacco use had an illiterate mother
   
• 77.45% of boys said they were influenced by electronic media
   
• 61.40% tobacco users said they were influenced by friends
   
• 64.78% of tobacco users reported some family problems
   
• 83.45% of tobacco users used to chew it