Tobacco Use Among Youth Living and Working In a Tobacco Producing Region

Abstract:
The two purposes of this study are 1) to describe the prevalence and patterns of smokeless tobacco and cigarette use among adolescents in a high tobacco-production area and 2) to explore the relationship between tobacco use and degree of household involvement in raising tobacco. There were 665 subjects from middle and high schools in a tobacco-producing region. Some of the results showed that usage rates in this rural county were comparable to or higher than rates reported in other rural areas and were higher than rates reported in suburban and urban areas; high school males from tobacco-raising households used tobacco significantly more than those from nonraising households; boys from tobacco-raising who personally raised tobacco had a greater tobacco usage rate than boys from tobacco-raising households who did not personally raise and boys who came from nonraising households. This study supports the idea that prevention efforts should be targeted toward rural youth, youth coming from tobacco-producing households, particularly high school males, and youth who personally raise tobacco. Suggestions are made for overcoming barriers to presenting tobacco prevention information in tobacco-raising areas.

Author(s): NOLAND, Melody Powers; KROLL, Larry S.

Publication: Journal of Health Education


Date Published: 11/1/1996

Pages: 6

Location Code: 19074