COVID-19 and tobacco cessation: lessons from India

• Authors: M Arora, HRIDAY; GP Nazar, HRIDAY; N Sharma, HRIDAY; N Jain, Public Health Foundation of India; F Davidson, University of Edinburgh; S Mohan, Public Health Foundation of India; D Mohan, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation; Mohammed Ali, Emory University; V Mohan, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation; N Tandon, All India Institute of Medical Sciences; Venkat KM Narayan, Emory University; Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Emory University; L Bauld, University of Edinburgh; Kabayam Venkat Narayan, Emory University; Srinath K Reddy, Public Health Foundation of India
• Journal Title: PUBLIC HEALTH
• Volume: Volume 202
• Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO LTD | 2022-01-01, Pages 93-99
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2021.11.010
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; COVID-19; Cessation; Tobacco; Smoking; India; RELAPSE

Abstract

Objectives: The Government of India prohibited the sale of tobacco products during the COVID-19 lockdown to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study assessed the tobacco cessation behaviour and its predictors among adult tobacco users during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 801 adult tobacco users (both smoking and smokeless tobacco) in two urban metropolitan cities of India over a 2-month period (July to August 2020). The study assessed complete tobacco cessation and quit attempts during the lockdown period. Logistic and negative binomial regression models were used to study the correlates of tobacco cessation and quit attempts, respectively. Results: In total, 90 (11.3%) tobacco users reported that they had quit using tobacco after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Overall, a median of two quit attempts (interquartile range 0–6) was made by tobacco users. Participants with good knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco use and COVID-19 were significantly more likely to quit tobacco use (odds ratio [OR] 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–4.0) and reported more quit attempts (incidence risk ratio 5.7; 95% CI 2.8–11.8) compared to those with poor knowledge. Participants who had access to tobacco products were less likely to quit tobacco use compared to those who had no access (OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.2–0.5]. Conclusions: Access restrictions and correct knowledge on the harmful effects of tobacco use and COVID-19 can play an important role in creating a conducive environment for tobacco cessation among users.