Tobacco use among young people in informal education settings:: A survey of behaviors and opinions

OBJECTIVES: To obtain information about the tobacco use of young people in an informal educational setting. To analyze the profile of the young smoker and the associated social and health factors, and to discover the opinion of tobacco held by smokers and non-smokers. POPULATION AND METHOD: An anonymous, self-administered, personal questionnaire was completed by volunteers aged 14 to 26 years old taking part in the activities of 3 youth centers. The questionnaire included items about the subjects' smoking habits, their awareness of the harmful effects of cigarette smoking and knowledge of tobacco cessation techniques. The survey also covered the health and social profile of young smokers. RESULTS: A total of 84 completed questionnaires were received (40 males and 44 females). The mean age of the sample was 18.3 years. Of the total, 15.4% had never smoked, 44% described themselves as smokers, and 16.6% as ex-smokers. Of the smokers, 40% smoked up to 10 cigarettes/day and 60% between 11 and 20. The age of initiation or experimentation was 13.1 years, and that of the onset of regular or daily use, 14.6 years. Only 23.5% of the smokers expressed a desire to stop smoking, and 50% had never tried to quit. Tobacco use was associated with weekend alcohol consumption in 59% of the smokers. None of the respondents were aware of the tobacco cessation aids and therapies available. CONCLUSIONS: According to the data collected by way of these questionnaires, a high percentage of the young people who participate in these leisure activities are smokers. They report a very early age of initiation and an accurate understanding of the serious consequences of tobacco use. Their lack of awareness about the available aids for tobacco cessation is a cause for concern, and the number of smokers who expressed a desire to quit was minimal. A disturbing increase in the association between alcohol and tobacco consumption was observed.