A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows youths 18 to 24 who smoke cigarettes are more likely to use more than one tobacco product than any other age group.
The study, which based results on 2008 telephone surveys of adults 18 and older in 13 states, reported 5.7 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds use more than one tobacco product. The next three age groups – 25 to 44, 45 to 64 and 65 and older – showed rates of 2.9 percent, 2.0 percent and 0.6 percent, respectively.
The group known as polytobacco users comprises individuals who smoke cigarettes and also smoke cigars or pipes or use smokeless tobacco and other products.
Researchers analyzed data from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, with only 13 states agreeing to take part in the optional survey questions on tobacco products besides cigarettes. Results also broke down polytobacco use by other demographics, showing multi-product tobacco users are more likely to be men, black, single, have a high school diploma or less and earn an annual income of under $15,000.
Though the report lacks evidence, researchers speculate polytobacco use leads to higher health risks and more powerful addictions to nicotine.
Free, 5 pages. Contact: (404) 639-3286, www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5930.pdf (pages 946-950).
