SMOKING, DRUG ABUSE AFFECT 14% OF GLOBAL YOUTH, INCLUDING INDIANS

'E-cigarettes may be banned in India, but hookah bars and smoking in clubs on weekends are increasing alarmingly.'

- MANEESH PANDEYA

GOING UP IN SMOKE

Parents of teens and young adults, beware. Smoking, including vaping, continues to be the biggest health risk. A US-centric multi-authored study finds that in the age group of 18-24 years, nicotine and cannabis remain high-risk consumption items. Additionally, young adults in America are also consuming the deadly cocktail of alcohol and cigarettes. Globally, smoking and drug abuse continue to affect nearly 14% of the youth, and over 5.6% of the world population in the age group of 16-64 years is consuming drugs, say the study experts. The researchers of this study, some of whom are of Indian origin, find a significant connection with India. E-cigarettes may be banned in India, but hookah bars and smoking in clubs on weekends are increasing alarmingly, says Professor Manoj Sharma, a public health practitioner and the lead researcher of the study published recently. Prof Sharma, who has been a doctor himself, along with Kavita Batra, Ravi Batra, Traci Hayes, Melinda J. Ickes, and Tejinder Pal Singh, published the study from the findings on a sample of 619 young adults between 18 and 24 years. The study found that 62% of the respondents were consuming nicotine, while 33.3% were consuming cannabis through vaping. "About 80% of the respondents in the study sample confirmed drinking alcohol, and nearly 45% were engaged in cigarette smoking."