Use of Alternative Tobacco Products in Multiethnic Youth from Jujuy, Argentina

This study examines alternative tobacco use among Latin American youth. A self-administered survey in a random sample of 27 schools was administered in 2004 in Jujuy, Argentina (N = 3218). Prevalence of alternative tobacco product use was 24.1%; 15.3% of youth used hand-rolled cigarettes, 7.8% smoked cigars, 2.3% chewed tobacco leaf and 1.6% smoked pipe. Among youth who never smoked manufactured cigarettes, alternative product use was rare (2.9%), except for chewing tobacco (22%). In multivariate logistic regression boys were more likely than girls to smoke pipe (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.1-8.7); indigenous language was associated with smoking hand-rolled cigarettes (OR = 1.4; 95% CI-1.1-1.9) and pipe (OR = 2.2; 95% CI 1.5-3.4). Working in tobacco sales was a risk factor for chewing tobacco (OR= 2.9; 95% CI: 1.7-4.9) and smoking hand-rolled cigarettes (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-1.8). Having friends who smoked was associated with chewing tobacco (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.0-3.2) and with smoking cigars (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.5-2.9). Current drinking and thrill-seeking orientation were associated with cigars and pipe smoking. Findings highlight the importance of surveillance of alternative tobacco products use and availability among youth and for addressing identified risk factors.