Objectives: To assess the prevalence and predictors of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among non-smoking youth and the association between ETS exposure and current cigarette use among all students. Methods. A self-administered anonymous survey of public middle and high school students was administered in 1998, 1999 and 2000 by the Florida Department of Health. Students were considered to be exposed to ETS if they reported being in a room or car in which someone was smoking on one or more of the past seven days, and current smokers if they reported smoking cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days.
Results: Approximately 20,000 students completed surveys each year. Nearly two-thirds of non-smoking students reported exposure to ETS. The likelihood of exposure to ETS for non-smokers was highest for those who lived with smokers, increased with the number of best friends who smoke, was higher for girls than boys, and for non-Hispanic white students than for non-Hispanic black or American Indian/Alaskan Native students. It was also positively correlated with the receptivity to tobacco company promotion. Among all students, exposure to ETS was a powerful predictor of current cigarette use, increasing the odds of being a current smoker by 3.4 (2.98-3.85), after controlling for other variables.
Conclusions: Too many youth are being exposed regularly to ETS, putting them at risk for health problems and for initiating cigarette use. Controlling morbidity associated with ETS exposure among youth will require substantial education and policy implementation to reduce youth exposure to ETS.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. List predictors of ETS exposure among public middle and high school students 2. Describe how ETS in rooms and ETS in cars disperse differently in this population 3. Discuss the relationship between ETS exposure and cigarette smoking in this population 4. Apply the findings of this study to education and policy implementation to reduce youth exposure to ETS
Keywords: Tobacco, Adolescent Health
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.
Handout (.ppt format, 468.5 kb)