Trend Use of Smokeless Tobacco and Cigarettes and Factors for Use Among High Students Participating in a National Survey

Tobacco use is a significant health risk behavior among adolescents. Adolescent tobacco use is problematic, as the initiation of the behavior is typically associated with long-term use of the substance which results in reduced health outcomes. This study examines patterns of tobacco use and factors for use (smokeless tobacco; cigarettes) among high school students. Data were derived from the 2003, 2005, and 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health which measures the prevalence and correlates of drug use among residences of the United States. A total of 14,703, 15,219, and 14,739 adolescents aged 14-18 completed the survey in 2003, 2005, and 2007, respectively. In 2007, 18.3% of students had ever used smokeless tobacco, 13.1% had used smokeless tobacco in the past year, and 7.4% had used in the past 30 days. All of these rates had increased since 2003. In addition, 37.3% of students had ever used cigarettes, 26.1% had used in the past year, and 18.2% had used in the past month. These rates have decreased since 2003. Factors related to use of smokeless tobacco, as well as cigarettes included the number of friends who engaged in the behavior, parental monitoring, and perceived risk of engaging in the behavior. Implications for school health education and promotion, particularly evidence-based interventions to address the factors that influence student tobacco use behaviors are discussed in this presentation.