Background and Objectives: India is the second most populous country with more than 50% of the population less than 25 years of age. The country is the largest consumer and producer of nicotine in the world where the prevalence of smoking amongst school and college students and young adults is between 6.9% to 22.5%. Along with the conventional methods of nicotine consumption such as cigarettes, beedis, pan and gutkha, newer methods such as vape pens and JUULS in the market increase the health risk as they contain more percentage of nicotine than conventional methods. The study also helped to assess if the subjects are aware of Nicotine Replacement Therapy and if they have undergone counselling or are willing to. The study gives an insight to the whether the subjects understand the hazards of consumption .The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preferred method of nicotine consumption by the youth and to better understand the deteriorating health conditions associated with this tobacco epidemic. Method: A total of 250 subjects, ranging from age 18-25 years (divided into groups of three- A being 18-21 years old, B being 21-23 years old and C being 24-26 year olds) present in VK Institute of Dental Sciences and surrounding areas , who have means and access to various forms of nicotine consumption , had been asked to take part in an anonymous (they were only asked to age, gender and their preferred method of consumption with the type and frequency) survey. Data that was collected was entered in frequency distribution tables in excel sheets and subjected to statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test (using spreadsheet software) is applied. Result: The present study included a total of 250 subjects of all genders (selection was not based on religion, caste, racial or social status) that has access and means to consume nicotine and tobacco and was asked to anonymously fill a survey. Out of that, 68% said they preferred conventional methods of tobacco consumption with Belgaum coming under Karnataka tobacco belt- as it is more easily accessible and cheaper and more satisfying than electronic methods which holds within reason as compared to a study conducted about electronic cigarette experimentation and discontinuation amongst youth6. Subjects also chose to buy single cigarettes or packets of pan/gutkha as they say it is easier to quit if and when they want to.While less than 20% admitted preferring electronic methods stating that the reason of this choice was, although much more expensive to buy, it is cheaper in the long run and easier to use in classrooms as it looks like flash drives/pen drives and comes in different flavors with a higher nicotine content that directly dissolves into the blood stream (as it is in the form of vapor). Conclusion: The study helped to check the rising trends in nicotine consumption in the current generation and their attitude and behaviour towards newer methods of consumption (e-cigarettes, JUULS) as compared to the conventional methods. It was found that overall, more number of participants (68%) preferred conventional methods of nicotine consumption with an increase in number of females who consume. Most of them considered themselves chippers and/ or non daily smokers. Almost all subjects were aware about the harmful effects of smoking but more than half of the subjects were not aware of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and its uses.
Keyword: Nicotine consumption; Vape pens, JUULS; Health risk nicotine consumption; Consumption in India;
forms of consumption.