Teens acquire tobacco from various commerical and social sources. The purpose of this study was to report the results of a survey which measured factors of young adult provision of tobacco to minors. The questionnaire measured such variables as demographics, rate of adult provision of tobacco to minors, method of giving tobacco, attitudes toward provision of tobacco to youth and toward youth access restriction laws, and the relationship of the person who approached the adult. A purposive sample of 250 college students who participated in health education courses completed the survey. Chi-square tests of independence were conducted between the independent variables and the outcome variable of provision of tobacco. Analysis showed that 33.2% of young adults were asked to provide tobacco to minors within the last year and that 30.8% of the students approached actually provided it. Those young adults who were in health related majors were as likely to be approached by a minor and to provide tobacco. Males were more likely to be approached and to provide tobacco to minors than females. The younger the age of the adults the more likely they were to be approached by minors and to give tobacco. The most popular location for minors to approach young adults were convenience stores and gas stations. Young adults were in favor of laws which restrict minors from purchasing tobacco products. A logistical regression analysis indicated that a young adult's intention to give in the future was the best predictor of provision of tobacco to minors.
Learning Objectives: needs learning objectives
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Tobacco
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.