Background:
The popularity of tobacco and the lack of taboo regarding its use is deeply rooted in the cultural practices of the Mizo people. Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2009-2010 shows that Mizoram have the highest percentage of tobacco user in India at 67.2%, here 61.6% comprises of female tobacco users. Demographic factors have been found to play a major role in tobacco use. In the current study mediators and moderators of demographic factors in tobacco use behavior among male and female Mizo adults were examined.

Methods:
300 participants, 150 male and 150 female adult tobacco users were randomly selected from Aizawl City, the capital of Mizoram with their age ranging between 35-45 years. Demographic factors were framed, recorded and analysed.

Results:
Those with low education levels (48.9%) were more likely to use tobacco, believed less in the negative health effects of tobacco, believed more in the positive psychological benefits of tobacco, had lower value on a healthy lifestyle, and had more friends who used tobacco. Although all of these factors significantly mediated education effects on tobacco use behavior, number of friends who smoke or use other forms of tobacco was the most powerful of these mediators. Compared with men, tobacco use among women was more strongly related to perceived psychological benefits of tobacco use, number of friends who use tobacco, and health beliefs about tobacco.

Conclusions:
The study has given us baseline results of the mediators and moderators of demographic factors in tobacco use. For effective interventions targeting vulnerable groups like women, children and people from low education background, interventions should include training, cessation treatments and awareness assimilated through the church, Young Mizo Association, primary schools and health care centers. Focusing on these key areas will be very important in customizing and enhancing tobacco interventions among the present population.