Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: Tobacco consumption has declined among both men and women in Odisha, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) report.
The report shows that tobacco use among women aged 15 years and above declined from 26.1% in NFHS-5 to 22.8% in NFHS-6. Among men, the rate fell from 51.7% to 48.3%, indicating progress in tobacco-control efforts.
Several districts recorded notable improvements. Among men, tobacco use declined in Mayurbhanj from 62.2% to 51%, Khurda from 44.7% to 34.3%, Puri from 52.6% to 40.5%, Angul from 56.9% to 48.8% and Dhenkanal from 56% to 47.2%.
Overall, male tobacco consumption declined in 21 districts, while it increased in nine. Ganjam, Nuapada, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Kandhamal emerged as areas of concern, with tobacco use increasing among both men and women.
Among women, tobacco use declined in 24 of Odisha's 30 districts. Mayurbhanj recorded a fall from 34.9% to 27.7%, Keonjhar from 34.9% to 30.2%, Puri from 25.5% to 17.9% and Khurda from 20.1% to 14.5%. However, six districts reported an increase.
The report also indicates that tobacco consumption among women remains higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
A senior Public Health Department official said the decline was a positive sign but stressed that tobacco use remains a concern in several districts. Reducing tobacco consumption can significantly lower the risk of oral and other cancers, the official said.
According to state government data cited in the report, oral cancer continues to account for a significant share of cancer cases in Odisha, with more than 3,200 deaths attributed to oral cancer in the state over the past decade.
Despite the decline recorded in NFHS-6, Odisha's tobacco-use rate remains considerably higher than the national average, highlighting the need for continued tobacco-control efforts.
