Background: Nicotine use and abuse is gaining increasing attention due to its negative and serious medical consequences. Multiple morbidities occur due to the intake of nicotine in various forms.
Aims: To find the prevalence and type of nicotine use/abuse in females.
Settings and design: House to house survey in a village in Purvanchal, i.e. eastern part of Uttar Pradesh and bordering Bihar.
Materials and methods: Semi-structured performa was used to collect data; a house to house visit was made to collect data.
Statistical analysis: Simple percentages were calculated.
Results: Tooth powder form of nicotine use is common and the need to address this problem is urgent.
Conclusions: Widespread dissemination of knowledge and legislative measures have to be undertaken to stop the problem.
Keywords: Community; females; mental and physical health; nicotine; smokeless tobacco.