Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to describe some of the reasons American Indian and Hispanic adolescents give for why teenagers smoke and will be able to discuss some possible prevention strategies for addressing tobacco use among the populations described.
Abstract: As part of a multi-site study of the functional value of tobacco, researchers from the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center conducted focus groups and in-depth interviews among male and female American Indian and Hispanic adolescent smokers and non-smokers. A total of 234 youth particpated in 38 focus groups which were stratified by ethnicity, gender, and smoking status. Participants cited a wide range of reasons for smoking including family influences, curiosity, and personal choice. Other important reasons include mood management, peer influences, addiction, and image maintenance as reasons to smoke. While many of the reasons to smoke were similar in both ethnic groups, this research suggests the presence of unique social and cultural influences in each group such as the ideal of “respeto,” or respect, particularly among Hispanic girls and the ceremonial use of tobacco among Native Americans. The findings of this study may facilitate tobacco use prevention and control and intervention strategies will be discussed.
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