Current tobacco use trends among Mississippi public high school students: 1993-2009

This study investigates trends in tobacco use based on gender, race, and grade level among Mississippi public high school students during 1993-2009. Data were obtained by combining eight weighted Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS). Current tobacco use (cigarette, smokeless, and cigar) was selected for investigation. During 1993-2009, the prevalence of current cigarette and cigar use among Mississippi public high school students showed a significant linear decrease (p < 0.0001). A quadratic trend was also detected for current cigarette use (p = 0.0038) indicating that it increased during 1993-1995 and then decreased over the remaining period of the study. Neither linear nor quadratic trends were observed for current smokeless tobacco use. Male students were more likely to be current tobacco users. White students were more likely to use cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. Programs that target male and white students on certain products such as smokeless tobacco are needed to further decrease overall tobacco use in the state.