Background:
In South Asia, the use of smokeless tobacco is common and this use raises various concerns. Increasing use has been reported not only among men, but also among such vulnerable groups as teenagers, women, and floating migrants. Dhaka city has a huge and bulging population and they are shanty, pavement dwellers or sheer vagabonds and smokeless tobacco using rate is increasing among them. The objective of the study was to investigate the existing patterns of smokeless tobacco among the floating people and to make policy recommendations to protect them from its devastating effects.

Methods:
A descriptive study using a quantitative approach deployed to get information among the floating population in Dhaka city. Through purposive sampling technique, information from 500 respondents was collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for all variables test was carried out to explore the relationship between the use of smokeless tobacco products and socioeconomic status of the respondents.

Results:
About three-fifths of the respondents were found to be current smokeless tobacco (SLT) users. The factors that influenced a person to become addicted to SLT were easy availability, social acceptance, peer influence, lower price of SLT products compared to cigarettes, after cessation of smoking, relief from toothache, etc. Although a majority of the respondents had knowledge about the harmful effects of SLT use, the current use of SLT among them was pronounced. Current SLT use was significantly associated with floating women (p< 0.001) compared to their male and other counterparts.

Conclusions:
This study provided a picture of smokeless tobacco use among floating people of Dhaka City. Multistage, effective behavioral change intervention programs may be implemented to overcome this health hazard.