Introduction: Tobacco consumption is an important cause of deaths and post–operative complications the world over. This study analyses tobacco usage patterns of in hospital patients, the secondary exposure of obstetric patients to tobacco smoke, and whether or not appropriate counselling regarding tobacco use was offered to the patients by their doctors.

Methodology: A cross–sectional observational study was performed in the departmental wards of Surgery, General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and ENT of a tertiary care centre in a metropolitan city in India. A population of 338 patients matching the inclusion criteria was selected.

Results: 48.5% of patients admitted to tobacco use, of which 77.7% were male. Of all the users, only 29.88% were counselled. In obstetric patients, 63.38% were exposed to secondary smoke.

Conclusion: There is need for comprehensive awareness initiatives in patients, for cessation of tobacco use, and in treating physicians for better counselling of the patients.