Correlates of nicotine dependence among patients visiting a tobacco cessation centre in India: A retrospective analysis.

Background We did a retrospective secondary analysis of 1-year data of a tobacco cessation clinic (TCC) to assess correlates of nicotine dependence among tobacco users visiting the TCC at a tertiary care dental hospital. Methods Secondary data were obtained from the records of patients who had visited the TCC from January to December 2019. Of the 1436 records, 1144 were found to contain all the information needed for the study. Patient records were obtained from a pre-validated standard TCC patient assessment sheet (PAS), which included various sections: Sociodemo-graphic items, tobacco use profile items, nicotine dependence status, strategy used for cessation and follow-up details. Results Of the 1144 proformas, 97.1% (n=1111) were of men and 2.9% (n=33) were of women. Around 48.5% had medium nicotine dependence followed by high nicotine dependence (29.7%) and low nicotine dependence (21.8%). The mean (SD) age of initiation of tobacco use was 26.1 (9.44) years and a significantly lower age of initiation was observed in patients with high nicotine dependence. Greater number of years of tobacco use was significantly associated with high nicotine dependence. About 47% of patients had attempted to quit tobacco in the past and the quitting attempts were found to be significantly higher in patients with high dependence. Conclusion We explored crucial determinants of nicotine dependence among tobacco users reporting to the TCC. These factors may be incorporated in routine assessment of the tobacco use status and may be used in tailored cessation counselling strategies.

Infodemiology for oral health and disease: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing affordability, accessibility and penetration of internet services worldwide, have substantially changed the ways of gathering health-related information. This has led to the origin of concept infodemiology that allows the information to be collected and analysed in near real time. Globally, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people; thus, volume and profile of oral health searches would help in understanding specific community dental needs and formulation of pertinent oral health strategies. AIM: To review the published literature on infodemiological aspects of oral health and disease. METHODOLOGY: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Electronic search engines (Google Scholar) and databases (PubMed, Web of science, Scopus) were searched from 2002 onwards. RESULTS: Thirty-eight articles were included in this review. The infodemiological studies for oral health and disease were mainly used in two domains. Out of 38 articles, 24 accessed the quality of available online information and 15 studied online oral health-related information seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION: The most commonly searched oral diseases were toothache, oral cancer, dental caries, periodontal disease, oral maxillofacial surgical procedures and paediatric oral diseases. Most of the studies belonged to developed countries and Google was the most researched search engine.

Development and Validation of a Comic Tool: An Innovative Approach to Raise Awareness about Tobacco Control among School Teachers.

Background: National legislation (COTPA) in India has focused on school children with dedicated section (6a and 6b) for tobacco control at Educational Institutions. Innovative mediums like Comic offer unique and engaging medium for dissemination of health information. However, its true potential remains unexplored in tobacco control. The study was conducted to develop and validate Comic for promotion of tobacco control laws in school settings. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among school teachers in Delhi in three phases: (1) need assessment, (2) development of Comic, and (3) validation (face/content validity by experts in public health/tobacco control, and construct validity by school teachers). Ethical clearance was obtained from Institutional Ethical Review Board. Prevalidated, structured, close-ended, and self-administered Questionnaire was used for the data collection. SPSS version 21 was used for descriptive and inferential results. Results: Phase 1 showed, out of 150 school teachers, 121 participated (80.66%). Mean age and teaching experience was 41.85 ± 9.76 years and 10.35 ± 6.53 years, respectively. Overall awareness about COTPA was 47.9% (n = 58) and COTPA sections 4 and 6 were 37.2% (n = 45). Majority 59.5% (n = 72) reported lack of access to training material. Phase 2 and 3 showed overall content validity index (CVI) score of 0.84. Construct validity evaluation from pre-postintervention yield mean ± SD scores of 3.94 ± 0.99 and 7.97 ± 1.17, respectively, (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Comic was developed on sound theoretical basis with satisfactory face, content and construct validity, to raise awareness about tobacco control among school children, and teachers to promote tobacco-free school.

Feasibility of the novel 'Tobacco-Free Hospital' model and its compliance assessment at a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is one of the biggest threats to the public health. Tobacco harms not only human health but also the environment. The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) was implemented in India in 2003. Compliance of these laws in public places is mandatory. This study presents an innovative model to make hospitals tobacco-free. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of implementation of tobacco-free hospitals among security guards, tobacco users, and key observers visiting a tertiary care dental hospital through a comprehensive strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An exploratory study was conducted in three phases. Structured training was organized for all security guards (n = 25) along with pre- and post-assessment using a validated questionnaire. All the patients and attendants entering the hospital were screened for tobacco products by security guards. Those patients who were carrying tobacco products to the hospital (n = 107) were interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Opinions of key observers (n = 223) who witnessed the event were also recorded. Descriptive statistics (means, frequency distribution) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test) were calculated. RESULTS: At the baseline, only 20% security guards were aware about tobacco legislations, whereas after 1 month, more than 80% security guards were aware about the laws. Around two-third of study participants of both the groups were aware of COTPA Section 4. Approximately 33.6% of tobacco users and 58.4% of key observers were aware of COTPA Section 6b. Forty tobacco users in the study availed tobacco cessation services of the hospital. CONCLUSION: Every staff should be a torch bearer of tobacco control. The study highlights a comprehensive approach of integrating hospital staff and linking vital cessation services by implementing Sections of COTPA.

Perceptions regarding tobacco control strategies amongst female youth in Delhi, India - a qualitative study.

Tobacco-related cancer is one of the commonest causes of cancer-related mortality in low- and middle-income countries. As per Global Youth Tobacco Survey-4, India; nearly one-fifth of students aged 13-15 used any form of the tobacco product. Tobacco related challenges have been countered through various tobacco control strategies; however, ignorance and non-compliance to tobacco control strategies to combat the tobacco epidemic shield the tobacco industry in India as well. There is limited literature on perception of tobacco use and tobacco control strategies amongst female youth. Hence, the present study aimed to assess tobacco control perception and perceived challenges through a qualitative approach amongst the youth of Delhi, India. Thematic analysis design of qualitative research was used amongst students of the Senior Secondary (Class XII) at a Government School of Delhi. One-to-one in-depth interviews were carried out for 6-7 individual participants in a day depending upon their availability. A summative content analysis was conducted of all the responses obtained by a data coder who was blinded to the identity of the respondent. A total of 82 school children participated in the study. The majority (82.9%, N = 68) of the participants felt that 'Tobacco is dangerous to health' and 41.5% (N = 34) of the participants were aware of some of the existing tobacco control laws in the country. Around 53.7% (N = 44) of the study respondents considered existing tobacco related laws to be ineffective. Regarding the perceived challenges; 31.7% (N = 26) of the respondents considered the lack of strict tobacco control laws and punishment strategies as the main factors. The findings from this study substantiated the focus on school based tobacco control strategies. The participants were well appraised regarding the impending danger of tobacco use and dynamic involvement of youth in tobacco control policies is the need of the hour.

"YES it's the Perfect Time to Quit": Fueling Tobacco Cessation in India during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Entire world is battling the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. India too, has undertaken stringent containment measures to combat this disease. The country is in a state of national lockdown, which has inadvertently led more than a quarter of the Indian population to not use tobacco. This paper discusses the opportunity that surfaces with unavailability of tobacco products, and advocates the need for escalation of tobacco cessation services as well as strategic management of stress to stay tobacco-free.

Afghan Frontier: Understanding Tobacco Practices among Migrant Population in India.

BACKGROUND: According to the World Refugee Survey by US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, migrants from Afghanistan constitute the 4th largest group of migrants to India. No previous study has been conducted to assess the tobacco consumption status and pattern among this marginalised migrant population. AIM: To get an insight of the tobacco usage pattern, accessibility and attitude towards tobacco cessation among the migrant population from Afghanistan. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of Afghan tobacco users residing in Delhi, India in the month of June 2017. A close-ended self-administered validated questionnaire in Persian language was distributed at local cafés and restaurants. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data was entered in MS Excel Spreadsheet and descriptive statistics using SPSS version 21 were carried out. RESULTS: A total of 127 male Afghan tobacco users with mean age of 33.49± 11.97 years completed the questionnaire. Better work opportunities were the most common reason for migration. Most of them (69%) smoked tobacco and 15.5% used only Naswar. Half (52%) of the respondents continue to use tobacco products manufactured in Afghanistan with 62% procuring the product through social means (friends/family). On assessing barriers to tobacco use, majority (85%) found higher cost of tobacco products to be a deterrent while19% agreed lack of availability to be a barrier. 50% felt that law enforcement and tobacco use regulation in India curbed their tobacco use. Tobacco usage was a stress buster for 64% of the respondents. Although 72% were interested in quitting tobacco, 58% feared losing friends if they quit. Strikingly, 93% were unaware about the availability of cessation services. CONCLUSION: Even as Afghans migrate from their homeland, they carry their cultural and social practices with them, including tobacco products, patterns and practices.

Prevalence, patterns and sociocultural factors associated with use of tobacco-based dentifrices (Gul) in India.

BACKGROUND: India poses a novel tobacco problem with majority of the tobacco users consuming smokeless form of tobacco (21.4%). Gul is one such Smokeless Tobacco (ST) product that is manufactured commercially as a dentifrice to be applied to the teeth and then to gums many times during the day, making it a cheap and easy tobacco source. Hence, the aim of the present study was to estimate the usage of Gul and its social determinants among adults in the capital city of India, Delhi. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 1300 adults across 27 Delhi government dispensaries across 3 districts of Delhi through multistage stratified random sampling. A structured, close-ended, validated questionnaire inquiring about the tobacco practices was used for all the participants and a specially constructed, structured, close-ended, validated proforma was used for Gul users to assess practice and pattern of use. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Gul users was found to be 4.9% with a mean usage duration of 6.28 ± 6.75 years. The usage was found to be more among males (67.7%) and unskilled workers (45.2%). 74.9% started using Gul to treat dental pain with 93.47% of them reporting pain relief. CONCLUSION: Gul usage is an emerging menace in Delhi. Awareness programs and initiatives are the need of the hour to bring this tobacco product under the tobacco control policy radar and at the same time educate people about the actual contents and ill effects of Gul usage.

Bacterial contamination of packaged smokeless tobacco sold in India.

INTRODUCTION: About 21.4% of India's population uses smokeless tobacco products (SLT), yet limited data are available on their microbial contamination. To understand the potential microbiological risks associated with SLT use, the present study aims to investigate bacterial contamination of tobacco and the types of microbes that could be cultured from SLT products. METHODS: Twenty-two brands of SLT products, including paan masala, khaini, gutka and tobacco-containing dentifrices were examined and cultured by using appropriate selective and differential media including MacConkey agar and CLED agar. This was followed by a sequence of further identification by biochemical tests. RESULTS: All 22 types of SLT products showed growth of aerobic bacteria. The most common bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Streptococcus faecalis. Other bacteria that were isolated from products, in traces, included Klebsiella spp., E. coli, and Bacillus subtilus. CONCLUSIONS: This study raises and addresses the issue of bacterial contamination of packaged SLT products. SLT users might be subjected to a significant health hazard, especially those who are immunocompromised.

Applicability of Data Mining and Predictive Analysis for Tobacco Cessation: An Exploratory Study.

Objectives: Predictive analysis can be used to evaluate the enormous data generated by the healthcare industry to extract information and establish relationships amongst the variables. It uses artificial intelligence to reveal associations not suspected by the healthcare professionals. Tobacco cessation is clearly beneficial; however, many tobacco users respond differently as it is based on multitude of factors. Our objectives were to assess the data mining techniques using the WEKA tool, evaluate its role in predictive analysis, and to predict the quit status of patients using prediction algorithms in tobacco cessation. Materials and Methods: WEKA, a data mining tool, was used to classify the data and evaluate them using 10-fold cross-validations. The various algorithms used in this tool are Naïve Bayes, SMO, Random Forest, J-48, and Decision Stump to further analyze its role in determining the quit status of patients. For this, secondary data of 655 patients from a tobacco cessation clinic were utilized and described using 20 different attributes for prediction of quit status. Results: The Decision Stump and SMO were found to be having the best prediction and accuracy for prediction of the quit status. Out of 20 attributes, previous quitting attempt, type of intervention, and number of years since the habit was initiated were found to be associated with early quitting rate. Conclusion: This study concluded that data mining and predictive analytical models like WEKA tool will not only improve patient outcomes but identify variables or a combination of variables for effective interventions in tobacco cessation.

Communicating Risk: Assessing Compliance of Tobacco Products to Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act (Packaging and Labelling) Amendment Rules 2015 in Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a public health problem with both health and economic consequences. Pictorial health warning (PHW) under cigarettes and other tobacco products Act, May 2003 (COTPA), offers advantages of being more universally available, low cost, and high exposure. The current study aims to assess compliance of smoking and smokeless tobacco products to Section 7, 8, and 9 of COTPA Amendment Rules 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the city of New Delhi during November-December. 2017. All nine districts were included in the study and in each districts, three public places, a Metro station, a hospital, and a public park, were randomly chosen for tobacco products collection. A standardized protocol was implemented for acquiring tobacco products from these 27 diverse points. Data collected were entered into MS Excel to make digital spreadsheets and were analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: Among 98 tobacco products, 57 (58%) and 41 (42%) were smoke form and smokeless form, respectively. Foreign Cigarette Brands and Beedi showed the least compliance followed by khaini and Gutkha. PHW was absent on 12 products (8 foreign brands of smoking type and 4 smokeless type). 42.8% (n = 42) of packaging was found to contain promotional inserts, while just 20.4% (n = 20) of the total sample size contained the presence of legislative information. CONCLUSIONS: Foreign brands and locally manufactured products (Beedi and Khaini) showed low compliance to new amendments of COTPA. Along with this, the presence of promotional inserts on tobacco packaging might be another issue to be dealt with in the future.

Compliance Assessment of Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act in Public Places in Delhi Government Hospitals

Objective: Tobacco-free policies in hospital campus reduce exposure to tobacco smoke; change the demeanour of the professionals, patients and people visiting hospitals towards tobacco use. Section-4, 5 and 6 of COTPA (Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act) necessitates the need for implementation of the prohibition on smoking in public places. Against this background, the present work was designed to evaluate the status of compliance Section 4, 5 and 6 of COTPA in Delhi Government hospitals Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted within Government hospitals. Multistage random sampling was used to select 18 hospitals out of 39 hospitals from 5 zones. Standard assessment Proforma developed by John Hopkins School of Public Health for assessing compliance to Tobacco-Free Law was used and modified to address certain aspects of Section-4, 5 and 6 of COTPA. Hospital campuses were assessed by dividing them into zones like hospital buildings, office buildings, public places outside the hospital and residential areas. Result: Signs of active tobacco use observed in 40.6% of hospital buildings, 35.3% in office buildings, and 75.4% in public places outside the buildings. 'No smoking signage was not as per the COTPA guidelines in 21.4% of the hospitals and 72% were not tobacco free outdoors in these positions. Conclusion: The study highlighted a lower compliance rate than expected which raises questions on law enforcement concerning tobacco. Hence necessary measures have to be used up for sustained awareness campaigns, backed by enforcement drives. Periodic compliance surveys will strengthen the implementation of tobacco free legislation in health care institutions.

Designing and validation of text messages for m-Health intervention for tobacco cessation and management.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a growing epidemic and tobacco-related death results in health consequences and lost economic opportunities. Tobacco cessation efforts mandate the use of multiple strategies to bring about behaviour change. AIM: To develop and validate health promotive text messages using transtheoretical model and prospect theory for behaviour change. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The present observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Delhi among patients reporting at Tobacco Cessation Centre (TCC). METHODS: The study was divided into two phases: first involved development of text messages in local language (Hindi) using a sound theoretical basis (TTM and prospect theory) and second phase dealt with validation of the developed text messages by patients and experts in the field of tobacco cessation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics was obtained using the SPSS version 17. RESULTS: The sample comprised 20 males and 6 females. Average appeal score ranged from 6.1 to 9.6 (54 messages). Forty two messages out of a total of 54 messages were found to be appropriate after validation by the experts. Mean words of the final messages (42 messages) was 24.5 ± 1.3. Two hundred ninety one (90%) out of a total of 324 questionnaires showed adequate understanding of message as assessed by the reviewers. CONCLUSIONS: The current effort developed and validated health promotive text messages package to aid in tobacco cessation. The preventive text messages were grounded in evidence and sound theoretical basis and followed a standard validating procedure leading to satisfactory understanding and appeal in all domains.

Hookah products and online retail marketing strategies in India: A content analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hookah smoking is becoming increasingly popular among the youth. Evidence shows that exposure to marketing of the unhealthy products through social media platforms may impact adolescent health behaviors. The aim of the study was to perform a content analysis of online portals selling hookah products. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A content analysis of online retail market was conducted on Google India using three keywords hookah, hookah products, and shisha. Retail websites popular in India that were selling hookah products were randomly selected and explored. A total of 15 themes were developed and used to describe various promotional strategies for hookah products. RESULTS: In all, 41 (19.2%) products claimed to be tobacco/nicotine-free and only 14 products (6.5%) displayed age/health-specific warnings. About 86% of products were available at discounted rates; glamorizing words for describing products in form of superior, premium, and legendary were found on 189 (88.3%) products. Phrases such as "ultimate way to celebrate," "perfect excuse to chill with your friends," and "now enjoy the world of smoking without any doubt of harm" are commonly used to promote hookah products. CONCLUSION: Easy availability of newer forms of smoking at online markets could play a role in promoting the use of hookah among the youth. Most products are being sold without any warnings and there is no means to control the selling of the products to minors. There is a need to raise the issue of hookah products in the same tune as done for other forms of tobacco.

Compliance with Tobacco Promotion and Sale Laws in School Neighbourhoods in India

Objective: Regulation of sale of tobacco has given sufficient attention in India and little information exists about the impact of bans near schools. Our study aim was to check the levels of tobacco promotion, advertising and sales in school neighborhoods' of Central Delhi. Methods: Using multistage random sampling 15 schools were selected in Central Delhi. Areas 100 meters around each were mapped using a map tool and screened using a self designed questionnaire consisting of 26 questions, both closed and open ended, to determine the details of outlets, sales of tobacco and tobacco products, advertising, promotions, school roles, and children seeking tobacco. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The response rate was 65%. Outlet licenses were present in only 6 (3.47%). The point sale of tobacco was most frequently in tea stalls and a total of 173 (41.2%) outlets had some form of tobacco sale. The brands of smokeless tobacco sold more were shikar (50%) and classic citrus (30%). Advertisement or promotion of sales was mainly in the form of signs and displays (53%). Major schools did not have any no tobacco boards displayed. Conclusion: Sale of tobacco continues in central Delhi with a lack of compliance with the rules of COPTA. The implications of this non compliance in the Capital region is of major significance for the rest of the country.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Mapping the Indian Online Retail Market.

INTRODUCTION: Motivating tobacco consumers to change their behavior, and harm reduction strategies, are the predominant traditional approaches to tobacco cessation. Recent trends worldwide have shown the emergence of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), as a purported harm reduction strategy to traditional cigarettes. Considering the global rise in the popularity of ENDS, our study aims to survey the online retail market for ENDS in India. METHODS: The current study was conducted in September-October, 2015 and 4 keywords were used to search Google India to identify online retail websites marketing ENDS. Each website was searched using the same keywords and all specific website pages displaying ENDS models were considered. Thus, data was obtained for various measures of ENDS present on the model descriptions. RESULTS: A total of 6 retail shopping websites were searched which revealed 65 different models of ENDS (34 brands). Forty-five models (69%) were flavored and 21 models (33%) mentioned about nicotine strengths. Seventeen models (26%) provided health warnings in their product descriptions. "No tar no tobacco" was most common claim accounting to 34 models (51%). CONCLUSIONS: This article provide insight into the current status of evident online sales of ENDS in India. There is urgent need to implement regulations on online sales of these products and protect the future from such approaches of tobacco control which still have divided opinions. IMPLICATIONS: The study permits the use of web search engine to explore market availability of ENDS at various online retail websites. Recommendations from the study can be used to guide policy makers in developing strategies tailored to regulate availability and online sales of ENDS in India.

Role of dental institutions in tobacco cessation in India: current status and future prospects.

Tobacco abuse is a major preventable cause of premature death and disease, including various cancers. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS) 2009-10 revealed that more than one-third of adults use tobacco in one form or the other. Nearly two in five smokers and smokeless tobacco users made attempts to quit the habit in the past 12 months. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition characterized by susceptibility of relapse over years. It can be well handled by sustained professional support from health care providers mainly through behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy. Dental professionals can play a pivotal role in diagnosing and effectively managing tobacco dependence. Dental Institutions have rapidly grown in last two decades across the country and so has the curriculum been adapted to improve student competencies to accommodate changing disease patterns and technological advances, but not in regard to tobacco cessation. Untapped dental manpower like undergraduates, dental hygienists and other paramedical staff need effective training to be more penetrative. The present review paper explores the potential role of dental training institutions and recommends various approaches to counter public health jeopardy of tobacco related diseases.

Serum lipid profile in oral cancer and leukoplakia: correlation with tobacco abuse and histological grading.

INTRODUCTION: Role of alterations in serum lipid profile in oral cancer remains controversial. The present study aimed to evaluate the implications of altered serum lipid profile in patients with oral cancer (OC), oral leukoplakia (OLP), and tobacco habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with OC, 30 with OLP, 30 tobacco abusers (TAs), and 30 age and sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. Serum lipid profile including total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and triglycerides (Tg) were evaluated using a fully automatic Biochemistry analyzer. Difference in lipid profile in various types of TA, that is, smokeless tobacco (SLT), smoking tobacco (ST), and a combination (Comb) usage of both forms were also analyzed. RESULTS: TC, HDL, and LDL were much lower in the OC group compared with control. Although these parameters were low in the OPC group compared with controls, the difference was not significant. On histological analysis, TC and HDL were found to decrease marginally with loss of tumor differentiation in OC. No correlation was found between the mean serum lipid profiles and degree of dysplasia in OLP. TC and HDL were significantly lesser in all forms of TA when compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: There may be an inverse relationship between serum lipid profile and OC. No significant reduction in lipid profile was observed in the OLP group. This may indicate that hypolipidemia is a late change occurring during carcinogenesis or is an effect rather than the cause of cancer.

Insights into pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packages marketed in Uttar Pradesh, India.

BACKGROUND: The Government of India issued an undertaking in the Supreme Court mandating pictorial health warnings (PHWs) on packages of tobacco products from 31st May, 2009 under " Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act " (COTPA) guidelines. This constitutes a key economic channel for educating people on devastating health impacts of deadly products within in a vivid and memorable way. Few studies have investigated PHWs on tobacco products marketed in India. OBJECTIVES: To assess met guidelines for pictorial health warnings under packaging and labeling rules on packages of collected tobacco products specified by COTPA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Snowball/network sampling design was followed to obtain samples of 37 different tobacco brands, 18 in smoking form (12 cigarette, 6 bidi brands) and 19 in smokeless form (4 chewing tobacco, 11 Gutkha and 4 Khaini brands) marketed at retail outlets at Muradnagar. They were analyzed for their compliance with guidelines through checklist by one calibrated examiner. RESULTS: PHWs were absent on packages of 5 tobacco brands. Fifteen tobacco brands had PHWs smaller than stipulated 40% of principal display area; 6 brands of bidis had PHWs on deceptive backgrounds, 3 of which were placed on a curved axis. Misleading descriptors and promotional messages were also present. CONCLUSION: Locally marketed tobacco products were not compliant with packaging and labeling rules specified by COTPA. This highlights the need for more stringent implementation of COTPA guidelines to combat the ever-growing tobacco menace.