Tony Limbil¹, Terrell W. Zollinger, DrPH², and Robert M. Saywell, PhD, MPH². (1) School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Indiana University, Regenstrief Health Center, 1050 Wishard Blvd., Room 4168, Indianapolis, IN 46202-2872, 317-278-0354, Tlimbil@iupui.edu, (2) School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Indiana University, 1110 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

To effectively deliver anti-smoking and other anti-tobacco messages to youth, it is important to understand their tobacco use attitudes. This study examined the differences in attitudes among rural, suburban and urban youth in a mid-western state. Self-administered surveys of middle school students were received from 1622, 1059, and 1177 students in the rural, suburban and urban areas, respectively. Differences in attitudes between rural, suburban and urban youth were compared using multiple logistic and linear regression, controlling for age, gender, race and smoking status. When controlling for these covariates, rural youth more often indicated that anti-tobacco messages designed for youth were ineffective, compared to their suburban and urban counterparts. The rural youth also perceived that smoking was more common among their peers and that they would not tell someone who was smoking to stop or move away from them. Rural youth more often indicated that smoking helps people control their weight, to say that it’s okay to smoke once in a while and more likely to indicate that they will probably start smoking within the next year. All things considered, it appears that rural youth display more pro-smoking attitudes when compared to their urban counterparts. However, there appeared to be no difference in the attitudes of rural and suburban children in general. The results of this study provide insights into the need for special considerations to improve the impact and success of anti-tobacco or other public health messages for a rural youth population in contrast to urban or suburban adolescent populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how the tobacco attitudes of rural adolescents compare to those living in urban and suburban areas.
• Recognize that rural youth generally have a more pro-tobacco attitude compared to their urban counterparts.
• Consider how anti-tobacco interventions need to be tailored to rural or urban children to make them more effective.

Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescents

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.