Tobacco smoking status among Aboriginal youth

To determine what factors are associated with the smoking status among some of the spectators and participants of the 2002 North American Indigenous Games.

Cross-sectional.

A survey inquiring about tobacco use and lifestyle behaviours was implemented at the North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg, Canada. This survey, entitled the 2002 Aboriginal Youth Lifestyle Survey, included Aboriginal youth between the ages 12 to 22 years old.

There were 570 survey participants (53.5% female) that met the inclusion criteria. It was determined that smoking initiation began earlier than what is reported in the literature and did not occur beyond age 18. The logistic regression analysis revealed that the variables age,peer smokings, self-rated health, and participation status at the NAIG, were associated with smoking status in this sample.

These findings demonstrate that Aboriginal youth require different tobacco control strategies compared to non-Aboriginal youth. While these youth experience similar risk factors associated with smoking status, based on the earlier initiation age, tobacco prevention needs to commence much earlier. This study also showcases the positive role that involvement in physical activity plays in building resiliency among Aboriginal youth.