Prevalence and correlates of smokeless tobacco use in a sample of Connecticut students

We examined the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use, and its relationship t o other risky behaviors in Connecticut school children in grades four throu gh 12 (n=31,861). Less than one per cent of students in grades 4-8, and fou r per cent of those in grades 9-12, used smokeless tobacco. Eighty-two perc ent of all users were white males. Among high school males, the prevalences of risk-taking behaviors and feelings of stress and depression were signif icantly higher among users than non-users. Among high school males, the hig hest prevalences of risky behaviors and stress indicators were reported by joint users of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. (C) 2000 The Association f or Professionals in Services for Adolescents.