Monika Mitra, PhD¹, Shawna Pochan, MPH², and Nancy Wilber, EdD¹. (1) Bureau of Family and Community Health, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108, 617-624-5592, monika.mitra@state.ma.us, (2) Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St., Talbot Building, Boston, MA 02118

This study compares the smoking behaviors of middle and high school students with and without chronic conditions using data from the 2002 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS). The MYHS examines health risk and help seeking behaviors of middle and high school students in Massachusetts. The data are weighted to provide population based estimates of middle school and high school youth in Massachusetts. Respondents reporting a medical, mental health or other health condition lasting at least 12 months were classified as having a chronic condition. Middle school and high school youth with chronic conditions were more likely to use tobacco compared to those without chronic conditions (P<0.05). High school students with chronic conditions were more likely to smoke their first cigarette before age 13 (21%, 95% CI=15.7-26.5) and to have ever been regular smokers (19%, 95% CI=14.8-24.0) compared to those without chronic conditions (14%, 95% CI=10.3-17.0 and 13%, 95% CI=9.8-15.7, respectively). Almost 11% (95% CI=6.7-14.8) of high school students with chronic conditions reported smoking daily in the past 30 days compared to 6% (95% CI=3.7-7.3) of those without chronic conditions. In addition, high school youth with chronic conditions who were regular smokers were significantly more likely to report the following health risk behaviors and outcomes compared with those without chronic conditions: alcohol and drug use; witnessing and experiencing violence in family situations; feeling sad or hopeless, and; seriously considering suicide. This data suggests that tobacco cessation programs should take into account chronic condition status.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be informed about the smoking behaviors among high school and middle school youth with chronic conditions. They will develop an understanding of the connection between tobacco use, health risk behaviors and health outcomes among youth with chronic conditions. Finally, participants will recognize the importance of including and targeting youth with chronic conditions in tobacco cessation programs.

Keywords: Disability, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.