How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected tobacco users in India: Lessons from an ongoing tobacco cessation program.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Tobacco use is detrimental at any time. However, it is proving to be more dangerous during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tobacco use may increase the risk of being infected, increases the chances of complications, and also increases the probability of its spread. We assessed the awareness about this association and the impact of the lockdown on tobacco use among tobacco users registered before the lockdown for LifeFirst, a tobacco dependence treatment program.

Methods

1016 tobacco users were under active follow-up in their course of the 6-month counselling program. From 14 to 28 May 2020, 650 (64%) of these registered users were contacted by counsellors for follow-up sessions over the telephone. Semi-structured questionnaires were filled in during the calls.

Results

SUBMITTER: Gupte HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7552854 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature