Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117010

Jason Roberts, MPH, Division of Health Surveillance, Vermont Department of Health, 108 Cherry Street, PO Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402-0070, 802-863-7303, jrobert@vdh.state.vt.us and Barbara A. Moeykens, MS, Tobacco Control Program, Vermont Department of Health, P.O. Box 70, Burlington, VT 05402.

Methods: From the 2000, 2002 and 2004 Vermont Youth Tobacco Survey (VT YTS), analyzed responses to the question “Out of 100 Vermont high school students, how many do you think smoke cigarettes?”. Only middle school students participated in the 1999 and 2001 VT YTS, restricting analyses for all 3 years to middle school students. Analyses relating to race were not included due to the small number of non-white respondents (95.7% white)

Results: The percent of middle school students who think that more than 40% of high school students smoke has been steadily dropping since 2000 (63% 2000, 52% 2002, 37% 2004). During this time, approximately 25% of VT high school students were current smokers. The percent who believe that more than 40% smoke did not vary by gender (females: 65% 2000, 56% 2002, 40% 2004; males: 61% 2000, 50% 2002, 35% 2004). Current smokers were more likely to believe that more than 40% of high school students smoked than students who did not smoke (current smokers: 81% 2000, 73% 2002, 58% 2004; non current smokers: 60% 2000, 51% 2002, 36% 2004).

Discussion: Efforts to educate VT students about the actual youth smoking rate appear to have had a positive effect, as fewer students believe a large percentage of high school students currently smoke. But work needs to continue as 37% of overall middle school students and 58% of middle school students who are current smokers believe that more than 40% of high school students currently smoke.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. A better understanding of perception of high school smoking rates among middle school students in Vermont from 2000 to 2004.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.