COVID-19 and Tobacco Cessation: Lessons from India

2021 
Objectives The Government of India prohibited the sale of tobacco products during the COVID-19 lockdown to prevent 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. Study design : Cross-sectional study. 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–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 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 [IQR] 0–6) were 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 [IRR] 5.7;95% CI 2.8-11.8] compared with those with poor knowledge. Participants who had access to tobacco products were less likely to quit tobacco use compared with 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.
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