Cristine D. Delnevo, PhD, MPH, Mary Hrywna, MPH, Karen L. Benjamin, MPH, CHES, and Megan E. Brown, MPH. School of Public Health, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, 335 George Street, Suite 2200, PO Box 2688, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-2688, (732)235-9746, delnevo@umdnj.edu

Previous research has raised questions as to why minority youth, particularly black youth, report greater bidi use than white youth. One hypothesis is that bidi, cigar, and marijuana use are interrelated, but to date this hypothesis has not been tested. We explored the relationship between these products using data from 17,429 youth who completed the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Variables of interest included demographics, tobacco use (i.e., cigarette, smokeless, and cigar), marijuana use, and blunting (i.e., cigars filled with marijuana). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for past month bidi use were generated for each variable; regression models were also generated separately by race/ethnicity. Overall, 1.1% of youth reported past month bidi use; higher prevalence was noted for those who were past month users of cigarettes (4.6%), cigars (7.0%), marijuana (5.8%) and blunts (7.3%). Logistic regression yielded significant odds ratios for all tobacco products, marijuana, and blunts, with the greatest odds associated with past month cigarette use. Interestingly, the pattern varied notably by race. Among white youth, the greatest odds for past month bidi use was associated with cigarette use (AOR=3.9) while among black youth the greatest odds were associated with blunting (AOR=9.5). These results support a clustering in the patterns of bidi and blunt use among black youth. Tobacco control efforts that target black youth must address other tobacco products and marijuana. Future research should continue to clarify the relationship between these substances so that youth tobacco prevention and control programs can tailor efforts appropriately and effectively.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. To recognize the problem of bidi use among youth in the US.
• 2. To describe variations in bidi use by gender and race/ethnicity
• 3. To understand the relationship between bidi, marijuana, and blunt use among youth

Keywords: Youth, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.