Introduction: Tobacco consumption is a major public health issue and is the major risk factor for six leading causes of death, namely ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, tuberculosis, lower respiratory tract infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cancers (trachea, bronchus and lungs) 12 million cases of preventable tobacco related illnesses takes place each year. In India, 90% of the oral cancer patients were tobacco chewers. The mortality attributable to tobacco has been estimated to be about 900,000 per year in India. Aims and Objectives: The study was done with the objective of assessing the prevalence and patterns of tobacco usage among rural population at Kuppam field practice area, A.P. Methods and Materials: Prevalence study was done at field practice area of Kuppam in A.P. Result: Total 1500 individuals above 15 yrs were studied. The overall prevalence of tobacco use among the subjects was 61.3%. The prevalence of smoking, chewing and snuff use was 19.5%, 56.6% and 2.7% respectively. The most common type of mixed use was found to be smoking and chewing (88.9%). Most common smoking product was beedi (98.3%). Tobacco chewing was mostly with betel leaf and areca nut (83.6%).

Keywords: Tobacco; Pattern; Smoking; Rural.