Background: Abuse of legal substances in India includes alcohol and tobacco, which are the major risk factors for various non-communicable diseases and deaths. This study was done to evaluate the pattern of Smoking and Alcohol consumption among adult population of District Shimla. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted amongst the participants in the age group of 18 to 60 years, using google forms. The questionnaire was circulated among residents of district Shimla for responses. Results: A total of 400 respondents including 194(48.5%) females and 206(51.5%) males from district Shimla were participated in the study. Among the participants of the majority 189(47.3%) were in age group of 31-40 years, 159(39.8%) were in Govt Job, 338(84.5%) were graduate & above, 235(58.8%) were from urban area and 387(96.8%) were belong to Hindu Religion. Among the total 400 study participants, majority 45 (11.3%) were smokers. Majority of them (26) smoke daily. Most of the them (23) smoke 2 cigarettes daily on an average. Among the 194 females in the study, 3(1.5%) were smokers while among 206 males 42(20.4%) were smokers. So males were significantly more smoker statistically. Among the total 400 study participants, majority 81 (20.3%) were alcoholic. Majority of them (46) took alcohol once weekly. Most of the them (31) took 3 pegs of alcohol on an average in one time. Among the 194 females in the study, 5(2.6%) were alcoholic while among 206 males 76(36.9%) were alcoholic. So males were significantly more alcoholic statistically. Conclusion: To prevent the burden from legal substances like tobacco & alcohol abuse, a cost-effective non-pharmacological approach is required.

Background: Owing to nutrition transition, faulty eating habits (increased consumption of sugar and salt, diet high in energy, fat, refined grains, and other processed foods, sweets, and savoury snacks), there is a rapid rise in NCDs. This study was done to evaluate the pattern of Visible Salt, Sugar & fat (Ghee/Oil/butter) consumption among the adult population of District Shimla. 

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted amongst the participants in the age group of 18 to 60 years, using google forms. The questionnaire was circulated among residents of district Shimla for responses. 

Results: A total of 400 respondents including 194 (48.5%) females and 206 (51.5%) males from district Shimla were participated in the study. Majority of their family 149 (37.3%) were taking 1 Kg of salt, 124 (31.0%) were taking 2 Kg of sugar and 125 (31.3%) were taking 1 Kg of visible fat (oil, ghee, butter) in a month. Mean salt consumption per person per day was 8.74± 5.592 gm. In males salt consumption was lower (8.66± 5.889 gm) than females (8.81±5.272 gm). Similarly salt consumption was lower in rural areas (8.47± 5.424 gm) as compared to urban areas (8.92± 5.711 gm). Mean sugar consumption per person per day was 20.23± 13.035 gm. In males sugar consumption was statistically higher (22.13± 14.637gm) than females (18.21±10.759 gm). Similarly sugar consumption was statistically higher in rural areas (23.44± 14.580 gm) as compared to urban areas (17.97± 11.327gm). Mean visible fat (oil, ghee, butter) consumption per person per day was19.19± 12.170 gm. In males visible fat (oil, ghee, butter) consumption was statistically higher (20.58±13.222 gm) than females (17.72±10.784 gm). Similarly visible fat (oil, ghee, butter) consumption was statistically higher in rural areas (21.00± 13.985 gm) as compared to urban areas (17.92± 10.562 gm). 

Conclusion:  Public health interventions to facilitate behavioral change to reduce salt sugar and oil intake must be instituted and encouraged.