LATINO YOUTHS KNOWLEDGE OF ORAL-CANCER AND USE OF TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL

Objective: To assess Latino youths' knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer, tobacco and alcohol use, and access to cigarettes. Methods: D eveloped from focus groups, and national surveys, instrument was pilot tested and administered to 189 youths. Additionally, trained youths a ttempted to purchase cigarettes from stores in the community. Results: Major factors for experimenting with cigarettes and alcohol were peer pressure and peer acceptance of the behavior. Latino youths were ill- informed about oral cancer, Further, 60% of the surveyed stores would have sold cigarettes to miners without asking for identification. Conc lusion: Hearth promotion interventions need to be comprehensive includ ing schools, family, and business establishments.