The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72486

Terrell W. Zollinger, DrPH, Robert M. Saywell, PhD, MPH, and J. Scott Wooldridge, MHA. School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University, 1110 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202, 317-278-0307, tzolling@iupui.edu

Tobacco use prevention programs targeting youth are generally focused on all children, regardless of race. This study examined tobacco use, environmental, attitudinal and knowledge differences between white and black youth. Self-administered survey data were collected on 4,844 black and 3,212 white 6th grade students attending inner-city public schools during 1997 – 2000. The current smoking rate was twice as high among the white children (18.9% vs. 8.8%). White students were more likely to live in a household with others who were smoking (79.8% vs. 55.1%) and hang out with friends who were smoking (47.4% vs. 24.2%). White children more often indicated it would be difficult for them to refuse a cigarette (25.9% vs. 19.8%) and more of the white students knew it was illegal to sell tobacco to minors (91.8% vs. 85.9%). There were no differences between the white and black students in their perceptions of their parents’ attitudes about tobacco use; however, the black students who smoked were more concerned about the effect of their smoking on others (35.8% vs. 20.4%). Where there were differences by race on the students’ belief that smoking caused specific health problems, larger percentages of the black students consistently believed smoking caused the problem. These data indicate that there are distinct differences in tobacco use, exposure to tobacco and attitudes among white and black adolescents. Smoking prevention programs for youth that target predominately one race may be made more effective by tailoring their approach to the specific behaviors and attitudes of that racial group.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the racial differences in tobacco use, environmental exposure and attitudes
• Use these differences to better tailor youth tobacco use prevention and cessation programs

Keywords: Ethnic Minorities, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.