Prevalence of Tobacco Use and the Attitude towards Quitting Tobacco Habit amongst Hamals in Navi Mumbai, India – A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: As per the World Health Organisation, tobacco tends to be the growing global cause of death (4.9 million people a year) worldwide and also is associated with many fatal diseases. The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of tobacco use amongst the study group and also to evaluate their attitude towards quitting tobacco habit. Materials and Methods: A self-designed structured questionnaire was used by the single-trained examiner for interviewing the participants. Three hundred and six (298 males and 8 females) hamal workers of Navi Mumbai were surveyed after ethical approval by the institution. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Data obtained were analysed using the SPSS software version 16 (SPSS < 0.005 considered Inc. Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics were calculated with P as significant. Results: Out of 306 hamals, 245 (80.01%) were using tobacco amongst which 210 (85.7%) consumed on a daily basis and 23 were past tobacco users that is only 7.5% were able to quit. Out of the 268 present and past tobacco users, 134 (50%) tried to quit of which 111 (85%) were unsuccessful and 23 (15%) were successful. 82.5% of current tobacco users expressed a desire to quit but needed help. Conclusion: A high prevalence of tobacco consumption was seen amongst the surveyed hamals and most of them need help to quit the habit. Employers, trade associations and worker representatives can work in partnership with their state and local health departments in implementing evidence-based policies and programmes to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use amongst these working population.