While the student population in Mazgaon and its surrounding localities is between 8,000 and 10,000, the study surveyed 1,000 children from 30 municipal and private schools. Parents, teachers and tobacco vendors in the area were also interviewed to find out local attitudes towards the problem. Dr Rayamane said that while it was difficult to ascertain if the study represented the situation across the city, it definitely indicated a trend among youngsters exposed to tobacco products. “We also spoke to the teachers about India’s Tobacco Act, health hazards and intervention techniques. He said it was important to tell children as young as 10 about the ill effects of smoking and curb their exposure to nicotine and tobacco products,” Dr Rayamane added.

Source: Hindustan Times November 04, 2017 19:18 UTC