India, which has the largest number of TB patients in the world, could turn into the epicentre of diabetes and heart ailments. And, India has the largest number of smokers — at 182 million, with Mizoram topping the state list.A study published in the special South Asian issue of British Medical Journal due to hit the stands this week profiles the average Indian smoker, affected by regional, religious and socio-economic factors. Together, 32.9 per cent of the population consumes tobacco while 18.4 per cent are exclusively smokers. The study, with a sample of more than three lakh adults roped in over 1998 and 1999, shows the poor are more likely to consume tobacco, strongly influenced by difference of region, religion, even caste.The study conducted by S.V. Subramanian, assistant professor at Harvard School of Public Health and his colleagues from other prestigious institutes in England, showed that older men, married people, and the less educated are more likely to consume tobacco by smoking, chewing, or both. Individuals with no education are 2.69 times more likely to smoke and chew tobacco than postgraduates.Across the religious cross-section, Muslims and Hindus are more likely to smoke than Christians. Regionally, a greater proportion of the population in the North-east consumes tobacco than in the southern and western states. Maharashtra has the lowest number of smokers, followed by Jammu and Kashmir which has few tobacco-chewers. Punjab ranks first with lowest number of tobacco consumers, followed by Tamil Nadu. Delhi ranks 10 while its placed 19 on the list of smokers.Mizoram tops the list on both counts. The study shows the north-eastern region has a disproportionately large number of tobacco consumers.Among the sociological factors, those married are more likely to smoke than those single, widowed, divorced or separated.
