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Researchers probe teen smoking trends among minority groups

By Staff Writer

Whereas anti-tobacco campaigns have commonly focused on teaching kids how to refuse cigarettes when the products are offered, a new study conducted by researchers at Missouri University suggests that these tactics may not encompass American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN) teens.

Researchers said they believe that young adults tend to start smoking based on whether or not their family members or peers do. This may create a problem within AI/AN cultures, since refusal is considered to be insulting and adolescents will not reject offers of tobacco from their elders.

The study cites statistics from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which show that half of the more than 1.2 million AI/AN youths smoke cigarettes.

Study results showed that AI/AN individuals who are between the ages of 12 and 17 have the highest rate of lifetime smoking compared to their cohorts of other ethnic backgrounds. The findings indicated that 54 percent of AI/AN teens smoke cigarettes, 24 percent smoke cigars and 16 percent use smokeless tobacco.

Parents who would like to break the cycle of tobacco use within their families may consider enrolling their children in boarding schools, where they receive education in a healthy atmosphere.

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