KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF SMOKING AMONG STUDENTS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

*Dr. Mohammad Zaeem Khan

ABSTRACT

Tobacco use among the youth has become a serious public health issue and is one of the leading causes of disease burden around the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for 12% of the global smokers (approximately 120 million) with the highest number of cigarette smokers recorded in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India.[1,2] Based on current trends, it is estimated that tobacco smoking will account for 8.4 million premature deaths each year by 2020 (a 180% increase from 1999).[3] Tobacco use among the youth has become a serious public health problem worldwide. Smoking has been recognized as an independent risk factor for several common chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.[4]

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