[Tobacco consumption among school children and its relation to the environment]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to know the prevalence of tobacco consumption and the influence of the immediate environment in schoolchildren.

Patients and methods: Participants were a random sample of 1,195 sixth and eighth grade schoolchildren from our rural area (N = 14,537) with a mean age of 12.7 +/- 1.27 years. Data were collected from a confidential and anonymous survey about tobacco consumption.

Results: We found that 18.6% of children are currently smokers and 22% of them smoke daily. Forty-four percent of schoolchildren had tried tobacco occasionally. The mean age to start tobacco consumption was 11 years old. Regarding family environment, 56% of the fathers consumed tobacco daily in contrast to 22% of mothers. Logistic-regression analyses showed an independent association between smoking habits, alcohol and coffee consumption and smoking (habit in the best friend).

Conclusions: A great number of schoolchildren had consumed tobacco occasionally. Group of friends had an important influence in the smoking habit, unlike the family environment. Moreover, tobacco consumption showed an independent association with bad habits like drinking alcohol and coffee.