Tobacco consumption among high school students. Preliminary results from a survey in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract

Background: Tobacco consumption constitutes a public health problem among adolescents. National addiction surveys in Mexico have documented a growing trend in this habit over the years. Objective: Describe the prevalence of tobacco consumption among a sample of high school students sample in Tampico, Tamaulipas and identify socio-demographic variables. Methods: Students enrolled in the 2006-2007 school year attending 31 schools located in this county were surveyed. The sample was probabilistic, stratified and random. Students were the sampling units. We used a standardized questionnarie. Results: 5,060 students were surveyed, 50.9\% were female, mean age was 13.5 +/- 1 range 11-17. 66.7\% started tobacco consumption between the ages of 13-14, 28.5\% (CI 27.2-29.8) had smoked once in their lives, 17\% (CI 15.9- 18.5) in the last twelve months and 9\% (CI 8.2-9.8) in the last thirty days. A small percentage (7.2\%) believed smoking was not dangerous and 1.6\% of smokers meet the criteria for nicotine dependence. Conclusions: We recommend to increase prevention programs targeted at high-risk groups such as adolescents.