The Market for Bidis, Smokeless Tobacco, and Cigarettes in India: Evidence From Semi-Urban and Rural Areas in Five States.
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ABSTRACT: Objectives: Compare the brand availability, pricing and presence of illicit products in semi-urban and rural areas in India across product types and states. Methods: In late 2017, 382 unique tobacco products were purchased from localities with populations under 50,000 in the states of Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Brand, printed maximum retail price, price paid, tax, and health warning labels (HWLs) were used to compare the market for bidis, smokeless tobacco (SLT), and cigarettes. Results: Brand availability and pricing of SLT products was similar to cigarettes. Brand availability and pricing of bidis was consistent with having many small producers. Bidis and single serving SLT with spice mixtures were more affordable than cigarettes and SLT sold alone. 2% of SLT and 10% of cigarettes did not feature an India HWL. Conclusion: The elimination of single serving SLT packets and the removal of tax exemptions for small producers, often exploited by bidi producers, could reduce their respective affordability. State differences in illegal and illicit products could indicate a greater need for enforcement in some states.
Project description:IntroductionGutka, a popular smokeless tobacco (SLT) product combining chewing tobacco, areca nut, and spices, was banned by states in India beginning in 2012. Gutka can be recreated by the user mixing twin packets of tobacco and spice mixtures. We examine the availability of premixed gutka, the sale of twin packets (chewing tobacco and spice mixture sold together but in separate packets) and whether SLT was sold without legally mandated health warning labels (HWLs), without the printed maximum retail price (MRP), and above the MRP.Aims and methodsIn October/November of 2017, unique SLT packets were purchased using a systematic protocol in 25 localities with populations under 50 000 across five Indian states. Purchase information (location, twin packets, price paid) and packaging information (SLT type, printed MRP, type of HWL) were used to assess legality.ResultsOf the 240 purchases of unique SLT packets, three were premade gutka. Twin packets were half of the sample, sold in every state, and illegally sold in Maharashtra where they were banned. Over half (62%) of single packets and 27% of twin packets did not feature a legal HWL. While only 5% of packets did not have a printed MRP, 29% of single packets, and 38% of twin packets were sold illegally for more than the MRP.ConclusionsSLT without the proper HWL or sold above the MRP were common. Twin packets were widely available. India should consider a country-wide restriction to ban single serving tobacco packets that would decrease affordability.ImplicationsThis study is the earliest and that first outside of Mumbai that we are aware of to present evidence of tobacco products being sold above the MRP in India. While finding little evidence of premade gutka being sold, we found twin packets (chewing tobacco and spice mixture packets sold together) are widely available even in Maharashtra, which has a policy in place to ban twin packets. This study also finds evidence of SLT products sold without the correct HWL and without a MRP listed which shows that implementation and enforcement of regulations are as important as passing regulations.
Project description:BackgroundCigarette smoking is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease risk, attributable in part to reactive volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). However, little is known about the extent of VOC exposure due to the use of other tobacco products.MethodsWe recruited 48 healthy, tobacco users in four groups: cigarette, smokeless tobacco, occasional users of first generation e-cigarette and e-cigarette menthol and 12 healthy nontobacco users. After abstaining for 48 h, tobacco users used an assigned product. Urine was collected at baseline followed by five collections over a 3-h period to measure urinary metabolites of VOCs, nicotine, and tobacco alkaloids.ResultsUrinary levels of nicotine were ≃2-fold lower in occasional e-cigarette and smokeless tobacco users than in the cigarette smokers; cotinine and 3-hydroxycotinine levels were similar in all groups. Compared with nontobacco users, e-cigarette users had higher levels of urinary metabolites of xylene, cyanide, styrene, ethylbenzene, and benzene at baseline and elevated urinary levels of metabolites of xylene, N,N-dimethylformamide, and acrylonitrile after e-cigarette use. Metabolites of acrolein, crotonaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene were significantly higher in smokers than in users of other products or nontobacco users. VOC metabolite levels in smokeless tobacco group were comparable to those found in nonusers with the exception of xylene metabolite-2-methylhippuric acid (2MHA), which was almost three fold higher than in nontobacco users.ConclusionsSmoking results in exposure to a range of VOCs at concentrations higher than those observed with other products, and first generation e-cigarette use is associated with elevated levels of N,N-dimethylformamide and xylene metabolites.ImplicationsThis study shows that occasional users of first generation e-cigarettes have lower levels of nicotine exposure than the users of combustible cigarettes. Compared with combustible cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products deliver lower levels of most VOCs, with the exception of xylene, N,N-dimethylformamide, and acrylonitrile, whose metabolite levels were higher in the urine of e-cigarette users than nontobacco users. Absence of anatabine in the urine of e-cigarette users suggests that measuring urinary levels of this alkaloid may be useful in distinguishing between users of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes. However, these results have to be validated in a larger cohortcomprised of users of e-cigarettes of multiple brands.
Project description:ObjectivesCompare cigarette and smokeless tobacco (ST) perceptions within a youth population where ST use is common.MethodsMale baseball players (N = 594) at 36 rural high schools in California rated separately 20 potential risks or benefits associated with cigarettes or ST, along with global harm ratings. Informed by principal components analysis, 3 composite categories were created: oral/rule-breaking risks (eg, mouth cancer, getting in trouble), systemic risks (eg, heart attack), and benefits (eg, relaxation). Standardized composite scores and harm ratings were compared by product and by tobacco use status.ResultsCigarettes were perceived as likely to impart oral/rule-breaking risks and systemic risks, unlikely to cause benefits, and as very harmful overall. ST was perceived similarly as cigarettes regarding oral/rule-breaking risks, but less likely to cause systemic risks, and more beneficial. Most participants rated cigarettes as more harmful than ST. Similar patterns existed in all tobacco use groups, including non-users and dual-users.ConclusionsIn this population, cigarettes were perceived as very harmful. ST was perceived similarly to cigarettes only for some risks and as less harmful overall. Communication for rural adolescents should consider multifaceted aspects of ST risk.
Project description:IntroductionThe smokeless tobacco (SLT) industry in the U.S. continues to transform with novel products amid an evolving regulatory environment. We report SLT sales trends in the U.S. by analyzing retail market scanner data from 2011 through 2019.MethodsNational SLT sales data were obtained from Nielsen's Convenience Track System for January 2011 to December 2019. UPC codes were used to classify products by attributes including type, parent company, brand, form, and flavor. Market share was calculated as percentage of total unit sales. Detailed product analysis was presented for moist snuff, snus, and tobacco-free nicotine products.ResultsSLT sales increased by 5.8% between 2011 and 2016 but declined by 3.9% from 2016 to 2019. Moist snuff sales increased by 8.1% between 2011 and 2016 and then declined 7.4% from 2016 to 2019 but still accounted for roughly 90% of the overall market annually. Between 2011 and 2019, snus sales consistently increased while sales of chew, dry snuff, and dissolvables decreased. Tobacco-free nicotine products emerged in 2016 and captured 4.0% of the market by 2019. Portion pouch packaging and flavors showed consistent growth although their popularity varied by the type of smokeless product.ConclusionThis study extends our previous work on U.S. SLT market trends through 2019. Overall sales increased between 2011 and 2016 but there were signs of leveling off including declining sales of moist snuff. Newer products continue to gain market share. Continued monitoring of SLT sales is needed, particularly given the new modified risk status of several products.ImplicationsThis study analyzed the last 9 years of smokeless tobacco market data (2011-2019) to describe recent trends in sales. Overall, the smokeless product category is quite resilient although signs suggest downward trends among some product categories and features. New types of smokeless tobacco products (eg, snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches) account for a growing share of the market.
Project description:BackgroundRural Indians have higher mortality rates than urban Indians. However, the rural-urban gap in under-five mortality has changed is less researched. This paper aims to assess 1) whether the rural-urban gap in under-five mortality has reduced over time 2) Whether rural children are still experiencing a higher likelihood of death after eliminating the role of other socioeconomic factors 3) What factors are responsible for India's rural-urban gap in under-five mortality.MethodsWe used all rounds for National Family Health Survey data for understanding the trend of rural-urban gap in under-five mortality. Using NFHS-2019-21 data, we carried out a binary logistic regression analysis to examine the factors associated with under-five mortality. Fairlie's decomposition technique was applied to understand the relative contribution of different covariates to the rural-urban gap in under-five mortality.ResultsIndia has witnessed a more than 50% reduction in under-five mortality rate between 1992 and 93 and 2019-21. From 1992 to 93 to 2019-21, the annual decrease in rural and urban under-five mortality is 1.6% and 2.7%, respectively. Yet, rural population still contributes a higher proportion of the under-five deaths. The rural-urban gap in under-five mortality has reduced from 44 per thousand live births in 1992-1993 to 30 per thousand in 2004-2005 which further decreased to 14 per thousand in 2019-2021. There is no disadvantage for the rural children due to their place of residence if they belong to economically well-off household or their mothers are educated. It is wealth index rather than place of residence which determines the under-five mortality. Economic (50.82% contribution) and educational differential (28.57% contribution) are the main reasons for rural-urban under-five mortality gaps.ConclusionThe existing rural-urban gap in under-five mortality suggests that the social and health policies need to be need to reach rural children from poor families and uneducated mothers. This call for attention to ensure that the future programme must emphasize mothers from economically and educationally disadvantaged sections. While there should be more emphasis on equal access to health care facilities by the rural population, there should also be an effort to strengthen the rural economy and quality of education.
Project description:A cross-sectional study was done to assess the degree of current awareness and behaviors about cervical cancer among females in urban and rural areas of North India. This survey was conducted on one thousand females (500 rural and 500 urban). A well-structured questionnaire was designed to collect information about participants' knowledge on cancer of cervix uteri such as age, height and weight measurements, marital status, menstrual status, personal hygiene, age at menarche, sexual history, pregnancy and abortion history, use of contraceptive pills for birth-control, smoking, alcohol consumption, and other relevant information. The data was collected by conducting face-to-face interviews after obtaining the verbal consent of the participants. The data has the potential to reduce disease burden by spreading awareness about symptoms and risk factors of cervical cancer as well as implementation of effective early screening strategies.
Project description:This project compared urban/rural differences in tobacco use, and examined how such differences vary across regions/divisions of the U.S. Using pooled 2012-2013 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), we obtained weighted prevalence estimates for the use of cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, cigars, and pipes. NSDUH also provides information on participants' residence: rural vs. urban, and Census region and division. Overall, use of cigarettes, chew, and snuff were higher in rural, compared to urban areas. Across all tobacco products, urban/rural differences were particularly pronounced in certain divisions (e.g., the South Atlantic). Effects did not appear to be fully explained by differences in poverty. Going beyond previous research, these findings show that urban/rural differences vary across different types of tobacco products, as well as by division of the country. Results underscore the need for regulatory efforts that will reduce health disparities.
Project description:IntroductionAlthough most of the disease burden internationally is due to tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco (SLT) use contributed to an estimated 76 000 deaths in 2017. We have studied the potential risk factors for SLT use among adolescents in South India.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey of all students in grades 6-8 in schools in the Udupi district of Karnataka State ascertained SLT use status and potential determinants of SLT uptake. Ever SLT use was defined as any reported consumption of any SLT products, currently or at any time in the past. Independent effects on ever SLT use status were estimated using multiple logistic regression.ResultsOf 46 706 students from 914 participating schools, 39 282 (84.1%) provided questionnaire responses sufficiently complete for analysis. Ever SLT use was reported by 775 (2.0%) participants and in a mutually adjusted model was significantly related to age, male sex, family use, or friend's use of SLT, low socioeconomic status, high rebelliousness, and low self-esteem. After controlling for these effects, the odds of ever-SLT use were significantly higher among students who had least awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco use (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval [2.9, 4.7]) and significantly lower among those not exposed to tobacco advertising (odds ratio 0.7, 95% confidence interval [0.5, 0.8]).ConclusionsThe prevalence of SLT use among children in Karnataka is relatively low when compared with other studies in India. The significant potential risk factors of SLT use include low awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco and tobacco control policies and exposure to tobacco advertising.ImplicationsThe prevalence of SLT use among school going adolescents in South India is relatively low. The potential risk factors for SLT use among adolescents in southern India are similar to those for smoked tobacco. It includes age, male gender, family or friend's use of SLT, low socioeconomic status, high rebelliousness, low self-esteem, exposure to tobacco advertisement and least awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco and of tobacco control policies. The present study lays emphasis regarding creating awareness about tobacco harms and control policies for further reducing tobacco use among adolescents.
Project description:There has been a relative reduction of tobacco consumption between Global Adult Tobacco Survey-India (GATS-India) 2009-10 and GATS-India 2016-17. However, in terms of absolute numbers, India still has the highest number of tobacco consumers. Therefore, this paper aims to examine the socioeconomic correlates and delineate the factors contributing to a change in smoking and smokeless tobacco use from GATS (2009-10) to GATS (2016-17) in India. We used multivariable binary logistic regressions to examine the demographic and socioeconomic correlates of smoking and smokeless tobacco use for both the rounds of the survey. Further decomposition analysis has been applied to examine the specific contribution of factors in the decline of tobacco consumption over a period from 2009 to 2016. Results indicated that the propensity component was primarily responsible for major tobacco consumption decline (smoking- 41%, smokeless tobacco use- 81%). Most of the decrease in propensity to smoke has been explained by residential type and occupation of the respondent. Age of the respondent contribute significantly in reducing the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption during the seven-year period, regardless of change in the composition of population. To achieve the National Health Policy, 2017 aim of reducing tobacco use up to 15% by 2020 and up to 30% by 2025, targeted policies and interventions addressing the inequalities identified in this study, must be developed and implemented.