TRENDS IN BLACK WHITE DIFFERENCES IN CURRENT SMOKING AMONG 18-YEAR-OLDS TO 24-YEAR-OLDS IN THE UNITED-STATES, 1983-1993/

Objectives: A study was undertaken to analyze the independent relation ship between race (black/white) and cigarette smoking among 18- to 24- year-olds in the United States, 1983-1993. Methods: An 11-year analysi s of cross-sectional national surveys was used in the study. Odds rati o for current smoking among black-surveyed subjects (vs. whites) was d etermined. Results: The multiple logistic regression-derived odds rati o (OR) for current smoking for blacks aged 18 to 24 years, vs. whites, decreased from 0.69 (95% CI 0.53, 0.89) in 1983 to 0.26 (95% CI 0.17, 0.42) in 1993. The combined-years model predicted a decrease in OR fo r blacks from 0.82 in 1983 to 0.30 in 1993, adjusted for sex, age, edu cation, poverty status, and geographic region. Conclusions: From 1983 to 1993, blacks aged 18 to 24 years became decreasingly at risk to be smokers, compared to whites, even after adjustment for confounding fac tors. Young blacks have been more resistant than young whites to begin smoking in recent years. Understanding reasons behind this widening b lack/white difference could lead to better prevention strategies.