Age of first use of cigarettes among rural and small town elementary school children in Illinois

This study determined age of first use of cigarettes among rural and small town elementary school students. Data were collected from 1,950 elementary school students, grades kindergarten through sixth, attending seven differe nt schools in southern Illinois. Bivariate odds ratios and multivariate log istic regression procedures identified risk factors of cigarette use among this elementary school population. A Duncan multiple-range test revealed no significant difference in cigarette rise between grades kinder garten thro ugh fifth (average percentage of use for those grades it ns 4.7%), but use increased significantly to 17.4% in the sixth grade. Predictor variables wi th the greatest odds ratios were having tried alcohol (OR = 8), having trie d chewing tobacco or snuff (OR = 4.4), and being in the sixth grade (OR = 2 .2). Healthy People 2010 draft objectives emphasize prevention and reductio n of tobacco use among youth. To be effective, tobacco prevention programs must begin in the elementary school years.