Miang chewing in northern Thai villagers.

The habit of chewing miang, composed of fermented tea leaves was studied among 100 farmers of Northern Thai origin. It was disclosed that the majority of miang chewers were 'multi-habituees' in that this habit was combined with other oral habits such as betel quid chewing, banana cigar and Thai cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Among women the most prevalent habit combination was miang chewing and khi yo cigar smoking whereas men showed a more differentiated habit pattern. A total of 37 men and 21 women showed oral lesions that could be related to the practice of one or several habits. Oral precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia were, however, only found among miang chewers who in addition indulged in other oral habits (betel quid chewing, smoking, alcohol usage).