Comparative Evaluation of Patterns of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence among Smokers and Smokeless Tobacco Users in Jammu City: A Cross-sectional Study
Iqbal Singh, Manisha Koul, Ankita Gupta, Rakesh Raina, Shizeen Shabir Wani, Mohd Issa, Anjali AntwalAbstract
Background:
Tobacco use remains a major public health concern, with both smoking and smokeless forms contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Patterns of consumption and nicotine dependence vary widely across demographic, socioeconomic, and occupational groups.
Aim:
To compare the patterns of tobacco use and nicotine dependence among smokers and smokeless tobacco users in Jammu city.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 participants in Jammu city. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing demographic characteristics, patterns of tobacco use, and nicotine dependence. Dependence levels were measured using a standardized assessment tool.
Results:
Cigarette smoking (61.62%) was the most prevalent smoking form, while ghutka (41.08%) was the most commonly used smokeless tobacco product. Smoking was predominantly observed among educated, skilled, and upper-middle socioeconomic groups, while smokeless tobacco use was more common among illiterate, unskilled, and lower socioeconomic populations. The nicotine dependence levels were moderate to high among smokers, whereas smokeless tobacco users demonstrated predominantly high levels of nicotine dependence with a mean Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence of 6.3 ± 1.18 and 8.1 ± 1.94, respectively, and this difference was statistically significant (
Conclusion:
Understanding the sociocultural and economic determinants of tobacco use, as well as the nicotine dependence patterns, can enable policymakers and healthcare providers to design more effective, evidence-based prevention and cessation strategies aimed at reducing tobacco-related morbidity in the region.