Chewing tobacco use by adolescents: prevalence and relation to cigarette smoking

The prevalence of teenage smokeless tobacco use and its relation to cigarette smoking was studied. Nine percent of 7th grade boys and 20% of 9th and 10th grade boys reported daily use. There was very little regular chewing among girls although about 20% reported having tried it. There was a strong association between smoking and chewing among 7th graders but only a weak association among 9th and 10th graders. Boys who chew tended to have friends who chew and/or smoke. The data suggested that chewing is affected by peer social influence processes in a manner similar to smoking.