Differences in Tobacco Use Among Two-Year and Four-Year College Students in Minnesota |
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| Authors: | Julia R Sanem MPH Carla J Berg PhD Lawrence C An MD Matthias A Kirch MPH Katherine A Lust Phd MPH RD |
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| Institution: | 1. Boynton Health Service , University of Minnesota;2. Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education , Emory University;3. Center for Health Communications Research , University of Michigan;4. Department of Medicine , University of Minnesota |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Objective: This study compares tobacco use rates among two-year and four-year college students and explores the demographic variables that predicted that behavior. Participants: 9,931 students at 14 two-year and four-year colleges in Minnesota participated. Methods: Students at 11 schools completed an online survey, and students at 3 schools completed a paper survey in 2007. Results: After controlling for sex, age, ethnicity, relationship status, hours of work per week, and number of school credits, attending a two-year college predicted current and daily smoking (odds ratio OR]) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval CI] = 1.52–1.89; OR = 3.47, 95% CI = 2.94–4.11) and smokeless tobacco use (OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.32–2.06; OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.06–2.53). Conclusions: Although two-year college students comprise approximately two fifths of the college student population, surveys of college student tobacco use have focused nearly exclusively on four-year college students. Two-year college students should represent a priority population for tobacco control because attending a two-year college predicts increased tobacco use. |
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| Keywords: | tobacco use smoking smokeless tobacco college students two-year colleges four-year colleges |
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