Smoking on Road: Behavioural and Physical Changes

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of premature mortality and morbidity. It is currently responsible for death of about 5 million people across the world each year with many of these deaths occurring prematurely. Smoking on road is not only injurious to health, also makes the person prone to accidents and indirectly to so many by second hand and third hand smoking. Aims and Objectives: 1. To study the newer behavioral changes which have occurred along with smoking on road. 2. To study various socio-economic groups and obvious physical signs like central obesity and or greying in these subjects. Materials and Methods: The study is an observational study done on New Delhi-NCR roads by observing the people who smoke on road openly and the behavioral changes which are associated with smoking. A total of 300 study subjects were studied for this study. Results and summary: 53% of the study population was found to be smoking cigarette. Of all the study subjects almost 35% were found to be smoking while standing followed by (22%) smoking and just walking. Subjects were also noted to be smoking and drinking tea (4%), smoking and driving (12.3%), talking over mobile phone (1.7%), near children (2.7%).