Abstract
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 different schools in southern Illinois. Bivariate odds ratios and multivariate logistic regression procedures identified risk factors of cigarette use among this elementary school population. A Duncan multiple-range test revealed no significant difference in cigarette use between grades kindergarten through fifth (average percentage of use for those grades was 4.7%), but use increased significantly to 17.4% in the sixth grade. Predictor variables with the greatest odds ratios were having tried alcohol (OR = 8), having tried chewing tobacco or snuff (OR = 4.4), and being in the sixth grade (OR = 2.2). Healthy People 2010 draft objectives emphasize prevention and reduction of tobacco use among youth. To be effective, tobacco prevention programs must begin in the elementary school years.
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