Bangladesh typifies many developing countries experiencing an
increasing trend in tobacco consumption. However, little is known about
the general pattern of tobacco consumption and about population groups
who are more prone to tobacco consumption. This paper aimed at
generating knowledge on tobacco consumption, especially emphasizing the
identification of sociodemographic groups who are more prone to tobacco
consumption vis-\ue0-vis tobacco-related health consequences in a
remote rural area in Bangladesh. Information on the tobacco consumption
status of 6,618 individuals (52.1% males, 47.9% females), aged over 15
years, was collected in 1994. Both univariate and multivariate analyses
were done. Individuals were categorized as consumers if they consumed
tobacco in any form at all, i.e. smoke or chew. The independent
variables included various characteristics of individuals and
households. Overall, 43.4% of the study subjects consumed tobacco.
Males were 9.38 times more likely to consume tobacco than their female
counterparts. Individuals with no education were 3.62 times more likely
to consume tobacco than those who had completed six or more years of
schooling, and the poor were almost twice as likely to consume tobacco
than the rich. Tobacco consumption in both smoke and chewing form has
been a part of household consumption in Bangladesh from time
immemorial. Only aggressive anti-tobacco programmes on various fronts
may salvage the vulnerable groups from the menace of tobacco
consumption in Bangladesh