Aim:  To estimate the awareness of tobacco abuse among adolescents in chennai population. Background: Tobacco is one of the leading cause for oral cancer.Tobacco use amongst adolescent is already pandemic and adolescents are vulnerable targets for tobacco use. Materials and Methods: This study was a population based cross-sectional study conducted in higher secondary schools of Chennai among 100 students belonging to the classes VIII, IX, X, XI and XII with no interventions. Primary outcome

more »

... surements were use, knowledge and awareness regarding the risk of tobacco. Following this proportions, statistical analysis were used. Results: In a population of 100 students , 60(60%) have used either one of the tobacco products irrespective of time and frequency in a lifetime out of which 35(35%) belonged to the urban government school and 25 (25%) belong to the rural counterparts. More than two-thirds of the respondents expressed a desire to quit substance abuse and 55% had tried to quit.'Addicted to tobacco 'and 'relief from tension' were the most frequent reasons for continuation of substance use. Level of knowledge on harmfulness of substance use among students was very high (urban --84.6% and rural -61.5%) and they stated cinema and friends are the most frequent source information. Conclusions: In Spite of being aware of the harmful effects of substance use, adolescents take up the habit. This requires comprehensive prevention and control programs in schools and the community, targeted toward adolescents and their parents and other family members. Effective measures are required to encourage shaping the attitude of school children toward self-confidence and adequacy, and also to prevent risky behaviour among adolescents.