Background: Smoking is a major public health problem and nicotine craving is a key factor contributing to continued smoking and relapse. Non-pharmacological interventions such as yoga have gained attention for their role in reducing stress and addictive behaviours. Hatha Yoga, which integrates physical postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation, may help reduce craving for smoking by improving self-regulation and autonomic balance. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the level of smoking craving among male smokers, evaluate the effectiveness of Hatha Yoga practice in reducing smoking craving, and determine the association between reduction in craving and selected demographic variables. Methods: A quantitative pre-experimental one-group pre-test–post-test design was adopted. The study was conducted among 30 male smokers residing in Keezhmaruvathur village, Kanchipuram district, selected using simple random sampling. Participants practiced Hatha Yoga for six weeks. Data were collected using a structured craving assessment tool and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including paired t test. Results: Pre-test findings showed that 70% of participants had high craving and 30% had moderate craving for smoking. Post-test results revealed that 93.3% had low craving and 6.7% had moderate craving, with none having high craving. The mean improvement score was 30.03 ± 1.97. The paired t test value (27.21) was statistically significant at P < 0.05, indicating a significant reduction in smoking craving following Hatha Yoga practice. Conclusion: The study concluded that Hatha Yoga practice was highly effective in reducing craving for smoking among male smokers. Hatha Yoga can be considered a simple, cost-effective, and complementary intervention to support smoking cessation and promote healthier lifestyles in community settings..
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How to cite this article: Suryakala B, “Effectiveness of Hatha Yoga as a Complementary Intervention in Reducing Smoking Craving among Male Smokers.”..Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16 (1s): 371-375; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16. 371-375