Smokeless Tobacco in Rural India- Can We make India tobacco-free?

Tobacco chewing is very common in rural areas of India where smokeless tobacco and it's various forms are used.

Smokeless tobacco types are very popularly known as mishri, gutkha , zarda , mawa, khaini , pan-tambaku etc.

Tobacco is usually grounded or grated with water and placed under the lip . The area where is placed, with time , develops oral precancerous lesions like leukoplakia , oral submucous fibrosis etc.

The number of people with smokeless tobacco chewing and their addiction to nicotine is large in the remote village of India , where we are currently working to spread awareness and help people quit.

Tobacco which is burnt and then ground in to fine dry powder is called as mishri , is commonly rubbed or kept under the cheek for hours by most of the women in rural areas of Maharashtra state. Sometimes dry snuff is inhaled in the nasal cavity .

The international Agency for research on cancer classified it as a cause of mouth, esophageal and pancreatic cancer.

Tobacco in any form is addictive due to the nicotine content which acts as a habit forming agent .