Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

8-31-2009

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use in an un-surveyed region of New Mexico. The reason for doing this is because the recent information of smoking and smokeless tobacco use in the state of New Mexico is incomplete, specifically in the Roswell area. This information is needed in order to understand the association between smokeless tobacco use and oral cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. There are also questions of whether people are stopping smoking and switching to smokeless tobacco as well as the possibility that using smokeless tobacco could lead to smoking. Current literature suggests that there has been a recent decrease in the smoking population and also suggests that there may be an increase in smokeless tobacco use. These findings raise concerns about the levels of risk in this population. METHODS: Approximately 500 8th grade students and 500 12th grade students were given a questionnaire on their tobacco use, patterned after the New Mexico Youth Tobacco Study that was given to the majority of the state. EXPECTED OUTCOME: An estimation of the prevalence of total tobacco use, specifically smokeless tobacco use in this population. RESULTS: Current smokeless tobacco use, defined as smokeless tobacco use \u22651 of the 30 days preceding this survey, the overall prevalence was 11.6%. With current smokeless tobacco use higher in males 7.8% than females 3.8%. The use was higher among 12th graders (7.8%) than 8th graders (3.4%). The usage was highest among Whites (4.5%), Hispanics (3.4%) and African Americans (1.5%).

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