Gender differences in use of smokeless tobacco in EAG states and Assam

Abstract
The specific objectives of the present study are to analyze the differentials in prevalence; initiation and continuation of use of smokeless tobacco. The foundation behind this study is to know the narrow gender gap of use of smokeless tobacco of different dimension. This study utilized the data from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey India (GATS India 2010). This paper is an attempt to find the progression of use of tobacco in all EAG states including Assam of India by using the Kaplan-Meier Survival Analysis and inequality in education and occupation by Gini concentration index. .The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among males varies from highest in Bihar (62%) to the lowest (17%) in Uttarakhand. Whereas, among females users high in Chhattisgarh (42%) to the lowest in Uttarakhand (2%).The association between each selected characteristic like age, residence, level of schooling, occupation, Exposure of mass media, notice on health warning, perceived impact on health etc clearly revealed that more likely (>1.0) to use of smokeless tobacco among female as compare to male in selected states of India.