Abstract
BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is the leading cause of oral cancer worldwide. In India, it was reported in 2021 that 1 million deaths were tobacco-related; of those, 79.8% deaths were due to smoking and 21.0% were due to second-hand smoke. It is available in various forms and has become a venerable practice in India. Recently, the increased initiation of usage has been noted among adolescents, which can cause severe adverse effects in the future. Thus, it is necessary to create awareness regarding the adverse effects of tobacco among the youth and encourage its disuse. The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of the use of tobacco and its products among students in Gannavaram and to evaluate their awareness regarding the catastrophic effects of tobacco consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted among the students in the province of Gannavaram, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. A questionnaire was prepared to estimate the frequency of usage, which will be used to assess and create awareness among the students. Statistical analysis was done by using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25.0, Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. RESULTS: This study underscores the need to enhance anti-smoking awareness and implement targeted tobacco cessation initiatives among school and college students in Gannavaram, particularly given the significant gender disparity in usage (12.1% in males vs. 1% in females) and limited knowledge of anti-tobacco programs (78%). CONCLUSION: The findings emphasize the importance of robust research methodologies and educational campaigns to guide public health strategies, evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco bans, and promote informed decision-making among youth.