Bangladesh
In Bangladesh
mostly matured areca fruits (9-10 months’ maturity) which are harvested and sun
dried is used in betel quid. Betel quid is always chewed with tobacco. The
betel quid is consumed due to addiction and euphoria, rather than any other
cultural significance.
A
population-based survey in Bangladesh found the prevalence of past and current
use of areca nut to be around 35%. The study found the usage among women is more
frequent and intense than in men. A screening program in some rural parts of Bangladesh
have found that almost 40% of adult villagers used areca nut with slaked lime
and tobacco in various combinations.
Pakistan
In Pakistan,
chewable tobacco is a culturally acceptable practice, whereas Cigarette smoking
is not. Hence very high percentage of
population consume chewable tobacco. This chewable tobacco is consumed with
Betel quid (Paan/ Tambola) or with Areca nut (supari). Gutka is also a very
popular form.
Studies
conducted in Karachi, Pakistan in 2007, have found 30–40% of population use areca
nuts in the form of Gutka, or betel quid or packaged white supari (Chali) along
with tobacco. Generally white supari is used in betel quid (slices or cut
pieces). Gutka is prepared out of red supari (Kempadike). Adolescents
prefer chali with tobacco, while adults over 30 years prefer Betel quid.
Myanmar.
In Myanmar, Chali produced by sun drying matured areca fruits (9-10 months’ maturity) is used for making betel quid. Betel quid is almost always consumed with chewable tobacco.
As per a population survey in 2009, about 30% of the adult
population was using chewable tobacco with betel quid. As per another study in
2018, the prevalence of tobacco with betel quid chewing was found to be 43.2% (male,
62.2%, female, 24.1%) in adults (25–64 years) and 5.7% (male, 11%, female,
1.5%) in youths (13–15 years). As per the survey in 2020, almost always, the
betel quid comprises areca nut, betel leaf, slaked lime and tobacco.
