Uncovering the Health Risks: The Association Between Tobacco Use and Multimorbidity Among Indian Men—Insights from NFHS

Background & Objective: Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for multimorbidity among men and a major public health concern in India, with high rates of tobacco consumption and associated health problems. The study aims to outline the pattern of tobacco consumption and morbidity among Indian men and to examine the link between this tobacco consumption and multimorbidity. Method: This study utilized data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021 to examine the prevalence of tobacco use and its association with multimorbidity among men in India. The study included a sample of 101,839 men aged 15-54 years. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and multinomial logistic regression were employed to analyse the data and examine the relationship between tobacco use and multimorbidity. Results: The study identified Indian men belonging to older age groups (45–54 years), less educated, alcohol users, poor socioeconomic status, marginalized social groups, rural areas, and central and eastern India as having a higher level of smoking, smokeless, or both types of tobacco consumption. Morbidity was also higher among the men belonging to older age groups, lower education levels, working groups, alcohol users, richer sections, other social groups, and the eastern and southern parts of India. The study demonstrated a significant association between tobacco use and both single morbidity and multimorbidity among men. Men who engaged in smoking had 1.18 times more probability (p < 0.001) of single morbidity, while smokeless tobacco users and both users significantly had 1.11 and 1.14 times more chance single morbidity. Moreover, men who smoked or were dual tobacco users exhibited a higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Conclusion: Policymakers must frame adequate policies considering the tobacco consumption pattern to reduce tobacco consumption among Indian men (SDG 3a), so that the associated chronic disease burden can be reduced. Implementing comprehensive tobacco control policies and promoting healthy behaviours are essential in reducing tobacco use and its associated risks.