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Reddy, Sujatha S, Shaik Hyder Ali, KH				19 October 2007
Author’s name (last, first)				Publication date
Estimation of nicotine content in popular Indian brands of smoking and chewing tobacco products
Title
Indian Journal of Dental Research		Bangalore, India, Indian Journal of Dental Research
Book series OR Journal		Location and publisher OR volume, issue, pages

The purpose of this article is to estimate the nicotine content of some popular Indian brands of smoking tobacco (cigarettes and bidis) and pan masalas (chewable tobacco). Much of the cancer prevalent today is linked to our lifestyles. Tobacco and diet are claimed to account for nearly two-thirds of all cancers we see worldwide; most of these are preventable. In recent decades, there has been a massive global increase in tobacco use, having risen from 300 million per year in 1920 to 5.5 trillion in 2000. There are an estimated 82,000-99,000 young people worldwide initiated into smoking each day.

In India it is estimated that 57% of the population aged 15 years and above (more than 500 million) use tobacco in one form or another. Of this group, 72% smoke bidis, 12% smoke cigarettes, and 16% use tobacco in the smokeless form. Tobacco-containing brands are preferred by many due to their intoxicating effect and also the added flavor and taste due to the tobacco in the mix.

Nicotine concentration of nicotine in chewing tobacco averaged 3.4 mg/gm whereas it averaged 15 mg/gm in smoking tobacco. In the US the nicotine content of cigarettes was found to be 10.2 mg/gm. Nicotine concentrations in India in the smoking form of tobacco were found to be almost four times higher compared to that in chewing tobacco, however, this was largely compensated for by the greater intake of chewing tobacco. Chewing tobacco used 7-8 times a day may be equivalent to smoking 30-40 cigarettes per day. The odds for oral cancer is estimated to be 7.2 in smokers, 1.3 in alcoholics, and 11.4 in those habituated to chewing tobacco. Bidis, an alternative type of cigarette is the most popular form of tobacco used in India. The nicotine content of bidis was found to be 26.9 mg/gm, much higher than in cigarettes. Bidis is associated with increased incidence of oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, lung, esophageal cancers, as well as stomach and liver cancer; also, overall cancer risks are higher for bidi smokers than for cigarette smokers.

This study is relevant to me because it identifies another aspect of oral care that I had not thought of. A great study to be done in India, which has been done, is the prevalence of tobacco use. This is important because it has a huge affect of the oral condition. If people are using tobacco on a regular basis, their oral hygiene will be in a worse condition and will lead to a need for more treatment. This would be another thing that I could study while in India; it just gives me more possibilities. It is good to know how much and often people use tobacco because it will affect the need for oral care and will help me understand my results better.