Background/Objectives: This study explores the predominance, characteristics and problems of tobacco consumption in Mizoram based on secondary data and findings from national surveys.
Methods/Statistical analysis: A comprehensive and explorative study has been carried out regarding the nature, prevalence and pattern of tobacco consumption in Mizoram based on the available secondary sources of information. Recent findings from the national surveys on tobacco consumption in India like Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), Global School Personnel Survey (GSPS) etc. has been used to understand the prevalence and pattern of tobacco consumption in Mizoram.
Findings: Tobacco consumption kills 5.4 million people every year an average of one person every six seconds and accounts for one in 10 adult deaths worldwide. The six out of eight foremost reasons of deaths in the world is also related to the consumption of tobacco. Various international agencies and organizations are fighting hard against tobacco use and addiction through various interventions and social marketing efforts. The high level of tobacco use in India’s northeast in general and particularly in Mizoramis a matter of major concern. The state of Mizoram is having a very high percentage of active tobacco users along with exceptionally high cases of deaths related to cancer. This study highlights major findings from the national surveys on tobacco use, discusses the prevalence, problem and nature of tobacco consumption with respect to Mizoram and points out the contributions of MSTCS in controlling tobacco consumption in the state.
Improvements/Applications: The consumption psychology, behaviour and attitude of tobacco users need to be studied in a systematic manner to device effective social marketing strategies for preventing and controlling tobacco consumption.