Abstract
Objectives: The current study team sought to understand smokeless tobacco (SLT) usage trends among youth, using nationally representative data collected as part of the Canadian Youth Smoking Survey (YSS) between 2004 and 2008.
Methods: Descriptive analyses of SLT ever use among respondents in grades 6 to 9 were examined according to year of data collection (2008, n=31,249; 2006, n=34,050; and 2004, n=23,362). Using the 2008 data from respondents in grades 6 to 12 (n=51,922), logistic regression models were used to examine characteristics associated with SLT ever use and current use.
Results: Between 2004 and 2008, the prevalence of youth in grades 6 to 9 reporting they have ever tried SLT significantly decreased by 30.8%. In 2008, male students were more likely than females to have tried SLT (OR 4.87, 95% CI 4.34–5.45) or to currently use SLT (OR 4.96, 95% CI 4.12–5.96). There are regional differences in prevalence of SLT use across Canada, with the highest rates in western provinces and the lowest in Quebec. Current smokers were also more likely to use SLT (OR 11.86, 95% CI 10.22–13.76) compared to non-smokers. Older students are more likely to report ever use or current use of SLT.
Conclusion: The findings from this study demonstrate that in Canada, adolescent SLT use is primarily an issue with males and there are significant regional differences. Ongoing monitoring of SLT is encouraged considering the tobacco industry’s recent investments and product development and increased use in countries like the United States.
Keywords: Smokeless tobacco, Adolescent, Canada
Résumé
Objectifs: Le groupe d’étude actuel de l’Enquête sur le tabagisme chez les jeunes (ETJ) a cherché à comprendre les tendances de l’usage du tabac sans fumée (TSF) chez les jeunes au moyen de données représentatives nationales recueillies dans le cadre de l’ETJ menée au Canada entre 2004 et 2008.
Méthode: Des analyses descriptives de l’usage du TSF chez les répondants de la 6e à la 9e année ont été examinées selon l’année de collecte des données (2008, n=31 249; 2006, n=34 050; et 2004, n=23 362). À l’aide des données de 2008 obtenues auprès des répondants de la 6e à la 12e année (n=51 922), nous avons utilisé des modèles de régression logistique pour étudier les caractéristiques associées au fait d’avoir déjà utilisé du TSF et au fait d’en utiliser actuellement.
Résultats: Entre 2004 et 2008, la prévalence de jeunes de la 6e à la 9e année ayant déjà essayé du TSF a présenté une baisse significative de 30,8%. En 2008, les garçons étaient plus susceptibles que les filles d’avoir essayé le TSF (RC=4,87, IC de 95% = 4,34–5,45) ou d’en utiliser actuellement (RC=4,96, IC de 95% = 4,12–5,96). Il y a des écarts régionaux dans la prévalence de l’usage du TSF au Canada, les taux les plus élevés étant observés dans les provinces de l’Ouest, et le taux le plus faible au Québec. Les fumeurs actuels étaient aussi plus susceptibles d’utiliser du TSF (RC=11,86, IC de 95 % = 10,22–13,76) que les non-fumeurs. Les élèves plus âgés étaient plus susceptibles de déclarer avoir déjà utilisé ou utiliser actuellement du TSF.
Conclusion: Ces constatations montrent qu’au Canada, l’usage du TSF chez les adolescents concerne principalement les garçons, et qu’il existe des écarts régionaux importants. La surveillance continue de l’usage du TSF est à encourager, étant donné les investissements récents et le développement de nouveaux produits par l’industrie du tabac et l’usage accru du TSF dans des pays comme les États-Unis.
Motsclés: tabac sans fumée, adolescent, Canada
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
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