A report of two smokeless tobacco surveys and associated intervention strategies among Utah adolescents.
Smokeless tobacco is an increasingly popular substance, especially among male adolescents. We determined the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use and evaluated selected factors associated with it among 8,902 students in grades 7 through 12 in the Davis County, Utah, School District. The students responded anonymously in their classrooms to a 16-item self-reporting questionnaire. Results indicated that smokeless tobacco usage was predominately a male phenomenon in all grades and schools, as illustrated by prevalence rates "within the past week" for junior high school students (male: 15.0%; female: 1.1%). Modal responses regarding users' source of supply revealed "friends" as the leading source for junior high students (43.1%) and direct purchase for senior high students (62.2%). Peer usage or nonusage of smokeless tobacco was found to be directly and proportionately correlated with smokeless tobacco users' participation in the school activity designated "sports" for both junior high (39%) and senior high school students (36.2%). Subsequently, clinical evaluation of high school male athletes was undertaken. To our surprise, the rate of lesion detection among members of this group, previously judged to be the subjects most likely to use smokeless tobacco, fell far short of the anticipated rate. We believe the reason for the low rate may be the result of numerous efforts to educate students and coaches, the reinforcement of existing tobacco use policies by the Davis County School District, and the reiteration to smokeless tobacco vendors of the terms of the Utah laws relative to smokeless tobacco sales. This health-endangering behavior deserves a concerted educational thrust by health professional, parents, and teachers, with emphasis on prevention.