Patterns of Tobacco Use, Dependence, and Exposure Among Visually Impaired Individuals: An Inclusive Public Health Assessment and Braille-Based Cessation Intervention Study.
1
Public Health Dentistry, SGT Dental College, Hospital and Research Institute (Faculty of Dental Sciences), SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Tobacco use increases the risk of non-communicable diseases and visual impairment1-2, while visually impaired individuals constitute a particularly vulnerable population due to barriers in accessing tobacco control information and cessation support.3 This study aimed to assess patterns of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, and second-hand smoke exposure among visually impaired individuals, and to evaluate the impact of a Braille-based tobacco cessation and health education intervention.
METHODS:
A prospective, non-randomized before–after intervention study without a control group was conducted among 105 individuals aged ≥18 years at a blind institute in Delhi, India in 2024. A validated 17-item questionnaire recorded self-reported tobacco use patterns (form, frequency, duration), nicotine dependence (Fagerström Test), and second-hand smoke exposure. The intervention included 3-D printed tactile diagrams illustrating tobacco-related damage to oral, respiratory, and ocular structures, and Braille-based Information, Education and Communication materials, along with a prototype of accessible health warning labels. Pre- and post-intervention assessments at an 8-week interval evaluated changes in knowledge, awareness, and intention to quit tobacco. Ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee of SGT University and legal guardian consent was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (SPSS v20.0).
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 23.7 ± 1.4 years, with 27.9% reporting current tobacco use. Moderate to high nicotine dependence was observed in 41.3% of users. Second-hand smoke exposure was reported by 43.6% of participants, with higher prevalence among female non-smokers (p = 0.03). Post-intervention assessments showed significant improvements in knowledge of tobacco harms, awareness of cessation support, and intention to quit (p < 0.001). Acceptance of Braille-based health warning labels was high, with 91.5% endorsing their usefulness.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight tobacco-related inequities, emphasizing the need to adapt tobacco control and cessation support for visually impaired individuals through accessible, Braille-based health communication and inclusive public health strategies.4
Tobacco use increases the risk of non-communicable diseases and visual impairment1-2, while visually impaired individuals constitute a particularly vulnerable population due to barriers in accessing tobacco control information and cessation support.3 This study aimed to assess patterns of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, and second-hand smoke exposure among visually impaired individuals, and to evaluate the impact of a Braille-based tobacco cessation and health education intervention.
METHODS:
A prospective, non-randomized before–after intervention study without a control group was conducted among 105 individuals aged ≥18 years at a blind institute in Delhi, India in 2024. A validated 17-item questionnaire recorded self-reported tobacco use patterns (form, frequency, duration), nicotine dependence (Fagerström Test), and second-hand smoke exposure. The intervention included 3-D printed tactile diagrams illustrating tobacco-related damage to oral, respiratory, and ocular structures, and Braille-based Information, Education and Communication materials, along with a prototype of accessible health warning labels. Pre- and post-intervention assessments at an 8-week interval evaluated changes in knowledge, awareness, and intention to quit tobacco. Ethical clearance from the Ethics Committee of SGT University and legal guardian consent was obtained. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (SPSS v20.0).
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 23.7 ± 1.4 years, with 27.9% reporting current tobacco use. Moderate to high nicotine dependence was observed in 41.3% of users. Second-hand smoke exposure was reported by 43.6% of participants, with higher prevalence among female non-smokers (p = 0.03). Post-intervention assessments showed significant improvements in knowledge of tobacco harms, awareness of cessation support, and intention to quit (p < 0.001). Acceptance of Braille-based health warning labels was high, with 91.5% endorsing their usefulness.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight tobacco-related inequities, emphasizing the need to adapt tobacco control and cessation support for visually impaired individuals through accessible, Braille-based health communication and inclusive public health strategies.4
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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