GUWAHATI: Assam has recorded a decline in tobacco consumption among both men and women over the past few years, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2023-2024 data, although the State continues to report a significant share of tobacco users among adults aged 15 years and above.
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As per the latest figures, 16.5 per cent of women aged 15 years and above in Assam use some form of tobacco. The number marks a decline from 22.2 per cent recorded during NFHS-5 conducted between 2019 and 2021. Among men in the same age group, tobacco use in Assam stood at 45.2 per cent in 2023-2024, compared to 51.9 per cent during NFHS-5.
The data also highlights a noticeable rural-urban divide in tobacco consumption across the State. In Assam, 17.1 per cent of rural women reported using tobacco compared to 12.9 per cent in urban areas. Among men, tobacco use was recorded at 46.3 per cent in rural regions against 38.3 per cent in urban centres.
Despite the decline, Assam continues to report high tobacco consumption levels compared to several other states in the northeastern region. Mizoram recorded the highest tobacco usage among women in the Northeast, with 61 per cent women aged 15 years and above using tobacco, while tobacco use among men in the State stood at 73.6 per cent.
Tripura also reported high figures, with 47.7 per cent women and 52.1 per cent men consuming tobacco. In Meghalaya, tobacco use was recorded among 34.6 per cent women and 57.8 per cent men.
Nagaland reported comparatively lower tobacco use among women at 17.4 per cent, while the figure among men stood at 51.2 per cent. Arunachal Pradesh recorded tobacco usage among 19.1 per cent women and 51.4 per cent men.
Among the northeastern States, Sikkim reported the lowest tobacco consumption rates, with 13.1 per cent women and 39.3 per cent men using tobacco products.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), the sixth round of the nationwide survey series, provides key data on population, health and nutrition indicators for India and individual States and Union Territories, except Manipur.
NFHS-6 fieldwork across India was conducted in two phases between May 2023 and December 2024 by 27 field agencies. The survey covered over 6.79 lakh households and collected information from more than 7.16 lakh women and 1 lakh men across the country.
