Abstract

Tobacco use among adolescents in India remains a pressing public health concern, with significant health and societal implications. Health education is a promising strategy for tobacco control in this demographic. This study aims to assess the impact of health education on tobacco use among Indian school-going adolescents. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 732 participants from urban and rural schools in India. Baseline data on demographics and tobacco use were collected. A comprehensive health education intervention was implemented, and follow-up assessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the intervention's effects. Results: At baseline, 19.4% of participants had ever used tobacco, and 8.5% were current users. At the 3-month follow-up, ever use decreased to 17.8%, with current use at 6.7%. At 6 months, ever use was 16.4%, and current use was 5.6%. At the 12-month follow-up, ever use was 15.0%, and current use was 5.2%. A comparative analysis showed the intervention group had lower tobacco use rates than the control group at 12 months. Conclusion: Health education interventions demonstrated promise in reducing tobacco use among adolescents. Short-term and sustained effects were observed, with the intervention group showing lower rates of tobacco use compared to the control group at 12 months. These findings emphasize the importance of tailored health education programs in mitigating tobacco use among adolescents.

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