Intention to Quit Tobacco and Its Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study among Support Staff Currently Using Tobacco in A Medical College of Kolkata

Introduction: Tobacco consumption increases the risk of developing lung diseases, cancer and heart related conditions. The intention to quit smoking is widely recognized as a strong predictor of actual quitting and its promotion is needed as it has significant and immediate health benefits, especially among people working in health care systems as they are in close contact with patients. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 288 support staff of IPGME&R, Kolkata between January to March 2024. Data were collected via a predesigned pre-tested structured schedule through face-to-face interviews and analysed using SPSS v25.0 with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Out of 288 study participants, 50% were addicted to chewing/smokeless tobacco, and 75% among them had tobacco dependence. Among the smokers, 67.7% had high dependence. Nearly two third (62.2%) intended to quit tobacco in last 12 months. Male gender [AOR 6.69 (2.65-16.86)], frequency of tobacco consumption