DO SPORTS CLUBS PROMOTE SNUFF USE - TRENDS AMONG FINNISH BOYS BETWEEN1981 AND 1991

Adolescent snuff use was rare in Finland but increased in the 1980s. ' Snuffing' was most frequent in urban regions and among the physically active. Physical activity has, however, been found to promote a health y lifestyle. We analysed the relationship between snuff use and physic al activity, especially that organized by sports clubs, during a 10 ye ar period. Boys between 16 and 18 years old were studied in a biannual Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey in 1981-1983 (N = 3667, respon se rate 76%), 1987 (N = 3175, 73%) and 1991 (N = 2936, 65%) by mailed questionnaires. Snuff use was related only to physical activity organi zed by sports clubs and only in the most urbanized area. Smoking was l ess frequent among the participants of sports club activities than the non-participants. In sports clubs, snuff users drank and smoked more frequently than non-users. Of tobacco users, snuff use was five times more common among participants of sports club activities than non-part icipants. Snuff use has partly substituted for cigarette smoking in th e sports clubs of the most urbanized area. During the study period the social environment of the sports clubs has persistently encouraged th e adoption of habitual snuff use.