Youth and Tobacco Use

This was a research study that aimed to understand the tobacco use and related factors among pre-university students in Bengaluru. Specific objectives were to (1) understand extent and pattern of tobacco use; (2) understand perceptions of tobacco and tobacco users; and (3) assess implementation of the select provision of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA). The study used a mixed-methods approach collecting data through a survey, focus group discussions and photo documentation techniques. A total of 1087 students from 19 pre-university colleges spread across Bengaluru were studied.The study found that 33.1% of students had ever used tobacco while 7.2% of students were the current users of tobacco. More than 30% of students reported seeing their teachers using tobacco while nearly 50% of students had at least one of their family members using tobacco. In violation of the prevailing COTPA provisions, 18 out of 19 pre-university colleges had one or more tobacco selling points within 100 yards of their campus. Over 59% of minors were able to directly purchase tobacco products from vendors.This study was primarily supported through the SRTT-ISEC visiting fellowship awarded to Upendra Bhojani.

– Bhojani U. Youth and tobacco use: a monograph on perceptions, practices & policies. Bangalore: Institute of Public Health; 2013

– Bhojani U, Elias MA, Devadasan N. Adolescents’ perceptions about smoker in Karnataka, India. BMC Public Health 2011;11:563

Cluster updates

Consultancy project with the State Anti-Tobacco Cell, Gov of Karnataka

Consultancy project with the State Anti-Tobacco Cell, Gov of Karnataka

by | Aug 1, 2020

In a project commissioned by the State Anti-Tobacco Cell (Dept Health and Family Welfare Services, GOK), Riddhi and Upendra, researchers at the DEEP project at IPH, with the help of intern Neema Joseph, historically mapped and analyzed various tobacco-related litigations in Karnataka high court in order to identify the stakeholders as well as common laws/arguments used by these stakeholders in shaping tobacco regulations in Karnataka.

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National Summit on Tobacco or Health – 2020

National Summit on Tobacco or Health – 2020

by | Jul 13, 2020

On May 29th, 2020 the National Summit was held virtually, the main theme was on “Protecting youth from industry manipulation and preventing them from tobacco and nicotine use” , and organised “by Resource Centre for Tobacco Control (E-RCTC), PGIMER Chandigarh in...

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31st National Road Safety Week – January 2020

31st National Road Safety Week – January 2020

by | Feb 10, 2020

1.5 lakh lives are lost every year and many more are debilitated on Indian roads due to road crashes. This causes the families of victims with immense economic hardship and emotional trauma. According to the WHO reports, road crashes are one of the leading cause of deaths among the youth between the ages of 5-29 in India and worldwide.
To make our roads safe for all road users and to reduce the crash rates, every year “National Road Safety Week” is observed throughout the country. The focus of the activities of this week is to create more awareness among road users about the road safety and to emphasize good road using practices.

To observe this year’s 31st National Road Safety Week, Institute of Public Health in association with HKBK Group of institutions and Indian Degree College under banner of Safer roads Bengaluru initiative organised a bunch of activities from 14th to 17th of Jan 2020 at our selected stretch of road in Bengaluru. Signature campaign #IResolve4RoadSafety, Quiz on road safety for public and college students, Human chains at major junctions are the main activities among all other activities.

We were at all major junctions of the selected stretch of road from Hebbal to K R Puram throughout the Road Safety Week. A signature wall with student volunteers was present at all the junctions seeking public commitment for road safety. Around 3000 people committed for safer road usage through signing on our campaign wall.
Quiz on road safety witnessed more than 5000 participation. Winners of the quiz were awarded with a ISI marked 2-wheeler helmets by #SaferroadsBLR initiative. We also engaged people through our social media platform Facebook and twitter for the broader reach.

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Duration of project
(2007-2008)

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