Background: Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases of tooth-supporting structures caused mainly by specific microorganisms or groups of specific microorganisms present in dental plaque. Smoking is considered as a global epidemic. Its adverse effects are well known which ranges from staining of teeth to life threatening diseases such as cancer. Aim & objectives: The aim of the study is to determine awareness of smokers about the adverse effects of tobacco smoking on periodontal health and the challenges faced to quit the habit- a cross sectional survey. Material& methods: 993 male smoker subjects were included, divided into three study groups. Group I-young age adults 18-35 yrs. (n=333), GroupII- middle age adults 36-55 yrs. (n=331) and Group III- old age adults ≥ 55 yrs. (n=329). Participants were subcategorized by education into primary (I to VIII), secondary (IX to XII) and tertiary education (graduate, postgraduate and PhD.) in individual each age group. Case history and questionnaire was recorded. Result: In this study, proportion of awareness was maximum in middle age group with tertiary education followed by young age group with tertiary education then old age group with tertiary education among smokers. A significant difference was observed in a proportion of awareness status among smokers (p<0.001). Conclusion: It is concluded that oral and periodontal health awareness was found to be very poor among smokers. Middle aged smokers with tertiary education levels had relatively better oral health awareness compared to that of younger and older age individuals.

Smoker, awareness, periodontal disease.