Assessment of Tobacco dependence and Motivation to Quit Tobacco use amongUndergraduate Students in Southern India: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Survey
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/2b8p4q13Keywords:
tobacco, smoking, smokeless, tobacco dependence, motivation to quit, undergraduate studentsAbstract
Background – Tobacco dependence prevails to be silent force shaping the health trajectories of the young adult around the world. Institutional environment become pivotal door where habits are formed, swayed by academic stress, peer networks, and the perception of tobacco as a coping strategy.
Aim: The aim of the study was to assess tobacco dependence and motivation to quit tobacco use among undergraduate students of selected colleges in southern India.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 undergraduate students of selected colleges, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. Non probability convenient sampling method was used to select the participants. Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND), Fagerström test for nicotine dependence-Smokeless tobacco (FTND-ST), and Motivation to stop scale (MTSS) were used to assess tobacco dependence and their motivation to quit tobacco respectively.
Result: Of the 273 respondents, the majority were aged 20–22 years (51%), and males constituted 68% of the sample. A positive family history of tobacco dependence was reported by 46% of participants. Among smoking tobacco users (n = 242), most (78.5%) exhibited low levels of dependence, while among smokeless tobacco users (n = 31), the majority (67.7%) demonstrated low to moderate dependence. Regarding motivation to quit, 28.9% of respondents reported a moderate level of desire and intention to stop tobacco use.
Conclusion – The study findings reveal different levels of tobacco dependence among the students, coupled with measurable motivation to quit, which highlights on implementing systematic assessment and targets on forming tobacco cessation interventions at the institutional level which may improve quit attempts and improve student health.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Puja Mondal, Chotti Sherpa, Kritika Pun, Papiya Bera, Devikala Venkat, Virupakshi Jalihal, Kusum Gurung
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