KOCHI: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey initiated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the technical assistance from the World Health Organisation has started in Kerala. The Centre for Economic and Social Studies is carrying out the survey in the state collecting data on adult tobacco use and implementation of key tobacco control measures from persons above the age of 15. The earlier survey conducted in 2009-2010 exposed the tobacco use pattern among Keralites.
It showed that smokers spend nine per cent of their income on tobacco. “The survey and its findings are important for Kerala as the state has been intensively implementing tobacco control measures. Compared to the 2010 survey results, there are high chances of a considerable dip in smoking while the trend of chewing tobacco products may be on the higher side. Influence of the migrant population and easy availability of such products are the major reasons,” said Dr K.R. Thankappan, faculty of Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, an expert in anti-tobacco movement.
The survey will be conducted in 2,000 villages in 30 states and two Union Territories while investigators will collect data from 83 centres in Kerala. Questionnaire for the survey, which was released by Union health minister J.P. Nadda, will have queries on age group, usage pattern, passive smoking, economic impact, and implementation of anti-tobacco laws. “The findings of the survey will help frame new policies. It will reveal how effectively the governments could enforce anti-tobacco norms. Since it is being carried out as per the technical guidelines of WHO, the results will be comprehensive," added Dr Thankappan.
