[Use of tobacco among Norwegian pupils in secondary school 1975-2005]

Abstract

Background: The proportion of daily smokers in the adult Norwegian population is gradually decreasing. We have examined changes in smoking among secondary school students (1975 - 2005) and changes in snus use (smokeless tobacco) from 1985 through 2005.

Material and method: The data stem from a series of nationwide surveys carried out by the Norwegian Directorate of Health every fifth year since 1975. The present analyses are based on samples of students born on the 6 th day of any month (n = 32669) in the period 1975 - 2005.

Results: The proportion of daily smokers among 15-year-olds was highest in 1975 (22.6 % among males and 28.4 % among females) and lowest in 2005 (8.5 % among males and 9.5 % among females). There were periods with no decrease during the 1980s and 1990s, and even an increase in smoking. From 2000 to 2005, the proportion of smokers decreased markedly irrespective of how smoking is defined - in all three grades - and for both sexes. The proportion of 15-year-old boys who used snus daily dropped markedly from 1985 to 1990, and increased steadily thereafter (7.9 % in 2005).

Interpretation: The marked decrease in smoking among secondary school students from 2000 to 2005 may result in that fewer of these students will ever start smoking.