Prevalence, pattern, and cessation of tobacco consumption among older adults in India

Abstract

Background: There has been a comparative decline in tobacco consumption; however, India still has the highest number of tobacco consumers in terms of absolute numbers. Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence, pattern, and cessation of tobacco consumption among older adults in India. Methods: Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) wave-I. Cross-tabulation and logistic regression analysis were used. Smokeless and smoked tobacco were the main response variables. Results: The consumption of smokeless tobacco was higher among male older adults than in female older adults; however, a higher percentage of female older adults consumed smoked tobacco than their male counterparts. A higher percentage of urban older adults than rural older adults (45.35% vs. 41.67%) consumed smokeless tobacco; however, the prevalence of smoked tobacco consumption was higher among older adults in rural areas than their urban counterparts (48.46% vs. 46.81%). The odds of ever used tobacco (OR = 0.23, C.I. = 0.18–0.30) and smokeless tobacco (OR = 0.69, C.I. = 0.47–1.00) were lower among higher educated older adults than uneducated older adults. Conclusion: There is a need to disseminate information about the ill effects of tobacco consumption among older men and women.