Kota (Rajasthan), Dec 12 (PTI) The prevalence of tobaccouse was higher in villages than in urban areas in Rajasthan, astate which registered a significant decline in the number oftobacco users between 2009-10 and 2016-17, according to aglobal survey.
The number of tobacco users in the western state has gonedown from 32.3 per cent of the population in 2009-10 to 24.7per cent in 2016-17, according to the Global Adult TobaccoSurvey (GATS)-2.
The GATS-2 report was released in Jaipur yesterday.
According to the survey, the number of tobacco users inrural areas of Rajasthan was 26.8 per cent of the populationas against 19.1 per cent in urban areas.
Smoking has decreased significantly among adults from18.8 per cent in 2009-19 (GATS-1) to 13.2 per cent in 2016-17(GATS-2). Smokeless tobacco use has also decreased by 4.8 percent (from 18.9 to 14.1).
Bidi and gutka are the most commonly used tobaccoproducts in the state -- 11.4 per cent of the adults smokebidi and 9.0 per cent use gutka.
Per person monthly expenditure of cigarette smokers hasalso gone up to Rs 835 from Rs 570.50, while per capita bidiexpenditure has risen to Rs 423.40 from Rs 247.30, accordingto the survey.
However, the number of dual tobacco users has come downto 2.6 per cent from 5.4 per cent previously.
The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) is a globalstandard for systematically monitoring adult tobacco use(smoking and smokeless) and tracking key tobacco controlindicators.
GATS is a household survey of persons aged 15 and aboveconducted in all 30 states of India and two Union Territories.
The prevalence of tobacco use among persons aged 15-17has also decreased from 10.5 per cent in GATS-1 to 7.1 percent in GATS-2.
According to data from GATS-2, the mean age at initiationof tobacco use has increased from 17.0 years in GATS-1 to 18.4years in GATS-2. PTI CORRSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.