28.2% people in Karnataka are tobacco users with 39.8% males and 16.3% females consuming tobacco in one form or another according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) for Karnataka (2009-10).
The report estimates that Karnataka has over 1.5 crore tobacco users, making it one of the States with the highest rate of tobacco consumption in the country. The report says that nearly one in every three adults and one in every two male adults in Karnataka either smokes or chews tobacco. Consumption of tobacco in non-smoking forms is high among women.
The report goes on to suggest that at least 44.3% and 37.2% are exposed to second hand smoke private and public places respectively. While the survey suggests 92% of tobacco users know about the ill-effects of consumption only 41% have ever considered quitting.
There is a proposal to ban gutka in the Karnataka. Seven states have banned gutka and pan masala so far.
