Smokeless tobacco use among floating people in Dhaka City

Background In South Asia, the use of smokeless tobacco is common and this use raises various concerns. Increasing use has been reported not only among men, but also among such vulnerable groups as teenagers, women, and floating migrants. Dhaka city has a huge and bulging population and they are shanty, pavement dwellers or sheer vagabonds and smokeless tobacco using rate is increasing among them. The objective of the study was to investigate the existing patterns of smokeless tobacco among the floating people and to make policy recommendations to protect them from its devastating effects. Methods A descriptive study using a quantitative approach deployed to get information among the floating population in Dhaka city. Through purposive sampling technique, information from 500 respondents was collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for all variables test was carried out to explore the relationship between the use of smokeless tobacco products and socioeconomic status of the respondents. Results About three-fifths of the respondents were found to be current smokeless tobacco (SLT) users. The factors that influenced a person to become addicted to SLT were easy availability, social acceptance, peer influence, lower price of SLT products compared to cigarettes, after cessation of smoking, relief from toothache, etc. Although a majority of the respondents had knowledge about the harmful effects of SLT use, the current use of SLT among them was pronounced. Current SLT use was significantly associated with floating women (p< 0.001) compared to their male and other counterparts. Conclusions This study provided a picture of smokeless tobacco use among floating people of Dhaka City. Multistage, effective behavioral change intervention programs may be implemented to overcome this health hazard

Compliance with smoke-free legislation in public places: An observational study in a northeast city of Bangladesh

Background Bangladesh is one of the highest tobacco-consuming countries in the world, with a large number of adult users of a variety of smoked and/or smokeless tobacco products. Bangladesh tobacco control act prohibits smoking in public places and requires the owners of public places to display ‘no smoking’ signages. Objectives The objective of this study was to assess the level of compliance with the tobacco control act (smoke-free laws) in public places in a northeast city of Bangladesh. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 1 and August 25, 2020, across 673 public places in Sylhet city, Bangladesh. The data was collected using a structured observational checklist that included variables such as the presence of active smoking, the presence of designated smoking areas, the display of ’no smoking’ signages, evidence of recent smoking such as ashes, butts/bidi ends, and the presence of smoking aids. Results Among 673 public places, a total of 635 indoor locations and 313 outdoor locations were observed. Only 70 (11%) indoor locations were found to be in good compliance, and 388 (61.1%) indoor locations were found to be in moderate compliance with smoke-free laws. On the other hand, only 5 (1.6%) outdoor locations were in good compliance, and 63 (20.1%) outdoor locations were in moderate compliance with smoke-free laws. The overall compliance with smoke-free laws at indoor locations was 52.7%, and at outdoor locations was 26.5%. The highest compliance was observed at healthcare facilities (58.6%) and the least at transit points (35.7%) for indoor locations. In outdoor locations, the highest compliance was observed at offices and workplaces (37.1%) and the least at transit points (2.2%). Higher active smoking was observed in public places where there was an absence of ‘no smoking’ signage and the presence of points of sale (POSs) (p-value Conclusion This study found moderate compliance at indoor locations and very low compliance at outdoor locations. The government should focus more on implementing smoke-free laws in all kinds of public places, particularly at most frequently visited places and transit sites. ‘No smoking’ signages should be displayed per legislation across all public places. Policymakers should consider the prohibition of POS in/around a public place as it has a positive effect on smoking

Compliance with smoke-free legislation in public places: An observational study in a northeast city of Bangladesh.

BackgroundBangladesh is one of the highest tobacco-consuming countries in the world, with a large number of adult users of a variety of smoked and/or smokeless tobacco products. Bangladesh tobacco control act prohibits smoking in public places and requires the owners of public places to display 'no smoking' signages.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the level of compliance with the tobacco control act (smoke-free laws) in public places in a northeast city of Bangladesh.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between June 1 and August 25, 2020, across 673 public places in Sylhet city, Bangladesh. The data was collected using a structured observational checklist that included variables such as the presence of active smoking, the presence of designated smoking areas, the display of 'no smoking' signages, evidence of recent smoking such as ashes, butts/bidi ends, and the presence of smoking aids.ResultsAmong 673 public places, a total of 635 indoor locations and 313 outdoor locations were observed. Only 70 (11%) indoor locations were found to be in good compliance, and 388 (61.1%) indoor locations were found to be in moderate compliance with smoke-free laws. On the other hand, only 5 (1.6%) outdoor locations were in good compliance, and 63 (20.1%) outdoor locations were in moderate compliance with smoke-free laws. The overall compliance with smoke-free laws at indoor locations was 52.7%, and at outdoor locations was 26.5%. The highest compliance was observed at healthcare facilities (58.6%) and the least at transit points (35.7%) for indoor locations. In outdoor locations, the highest compliance was observed at offices and workplaces (37.1%) and the least at transit points (2.2%). Higher active smoking was observed in public places where there was an absence of 'no smoking' signage and the presence of points of sale (POSs) (p-value ConclusionThis study found moderate compliance at indoor locations and very low compliance at outdoor locations. The government should focus more on implementing smoke-free laws in all kinds of public places, particularly at most frequently visited places and transit sites. 'No smoking' signages should be displayed per legislation across all public places. Policymakers should consider the prohibition of POS in/around a public place as it has a positive effect on smoking

Smoking behavior in different public places (indoor, n = 635).

Smoking behavior in different public places (indoor, n = 635).</p

Availability of POS within the venue/location (inside boundary).

Note: All public places (n = 313), Accommodation facilities (n = 8), Eateries (n = 53), Offices and workplaces (n = 110), Healthcare facilities (n = 47), Most frequently visited places (n = 64), Transit points (n = 31).</p

Smoking behavior in different public places (outdoor, n = 313).

Smoking behavior in different public places (outdoor, n = 313).</p

Overall compliance with smoke-free legislation (outdoor).

Note: All public places (n = 313), Accommodation facilities (n = 8), Eateries (n = 53), Offices and workplaces (n = 110), Healthcare facilities (n = 47), Most frequently visited places (n = 64), Transit points (n = 31).</p

Outdoor observation of smoking, no-smoking sign(s), cigarette buts, bidi ends or ashes, and smoking aids.

Note: All public places (n = 313), Accommodation facilities (n = 8), Eateries (n = 53), Offices and workplaces (n = 110), Healthcare facilities (n = 47), Most frequently visited places (n = 64), Transit points (n = 31).</p