摘要：Background : T'he epidemic of non communicable diseases has begun its tragic shift towards the developing world.This survey was undertaken to find out prevalence of alcohol and tobacco consumption amongst Armed F orces personnel posted at Mumbai serving in various Ships & Shore establishments.Methods: The survey was a cross sectional descriptive study based on a questionnaire which was answered by 1531 service personnel.Results: It was found that the prevalence of alcohol consumption was 55.32% and that of tobacco consumption was 18.61%.65.18% individuals were aware that alcohol use is injurious to healtht and 91.18% felt that tobacco use is injurious to health.Conclusion : Despite the high level of awareness for harmful effects of alcohol and tobacco,the prevalence of consumption was above 50% for alcohol thereby showing that more effort in the form of Behaviour Change Communication is required to be undertaken.This should address issues of hazards pertaining to alcohol consumption: the adverse effect on both the individual and his family leading to loss of man days thus affecting the moral fibre of the Armed F orces.
