IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-12-23398 Original Research Paper PREVALENCE OF TOBACCO USE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN OF GANDHINAGAR Shah Dr. Hiral Parikh Dr. December 2019 8 12 01 02 ABSTRACT

Introduction: Tobacco use has become pandemic among school children. One of the leading institution world banks has reported that nearly 1 million children and adolescents all over the world begin using tobacco every day. In developing countries, the most crucial age of initiation of tobacco use is during early adulthood. Material and Method: A cross sectional study was designed in Government high school of Gandhinagar. From each school, 50 students were randomly chosen with computer–generated code. Data was acquired using a pre–structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 18% were tobacco users. Five per cent of people were tobacco addicts. Out of the total, 92 subjects were tobacco users, ranging from age 12 to 15 years. The overall prevalence was found to be 5.7% and was highest among the 15–year age group. Conclusion: In order to control the tobacco abuse at the early age of life, appropriate health knowledge and counseling are required.