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01-01-2017 | Original Article

Age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa

Authors: Sreenivas P. Veeranki, Rijo M. John, Abdallah Ibrahim, Divya Pillendla, James F. Thrasher, Daniel Owusu, Ahmed E. O. Ouma, Hadii M. Mamudu

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 1/2017

Abstract

Objectives

To estimate prevalence and identify correlates of age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa.

Methods

Data (n = 16,519) were obtained from nationally representative Global Youth Tobacco Surveys in nine West African countries. Study outcome was adolescents’ age of smoking initiation categorized into six groups: ≤7, 8 or 9, 10 or 11, 12 or 13, 14 or 15 and never-smoker. Explanatory variables included sex, parental or peer smoking behavior, exposure to tobacco industry promotions, and knowledge about smoking harm. Weighted multinomial logit models were conducted to determine correlates associated with adolescents’ age of smoking initiation.

Results

Age of smoking initiation was as early as ≤7 years; prevalence estimates ranged from 0.7 % in Ghana at 10 or 11 years age to 9.6 % in Cote d’Ivoire at 12 or 13 years age. Males, exposures to parental or peer smoking, and industry promotions were identified as significant correlates.

Conclusions

West African policymakers should adopt a preventive approach consistent with the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to prevent an adolescent from initiating smoking and developing into future regular smokers.

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Title: Age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa
Authors: Sreenivas P. Veeranki
Rijo M. John
Abdallah Ibrahim
Divya Pillendla
James F. Thrasher
Daniel Owusu
Ahmed E. O. Ouma
Hadii M. Mamudu
Publication date: 01-01-2017
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-016-0888-7

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Springer Medicine

Age of smoking initiation among adolescents in Africa

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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