Abstract

Background and Objectives: The impact of smoking on the young population is an extremely important issue for the public health system. As the prevalence of smoking is considerably increasing amongst the pubescent and adolescent population, the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered of high priority. The primary aim of this observational study was to assess tobacco use in teenagers included in the social protection system. Materials and Methods: 275 foster care teenagers (155 from the Professional Maternal Assistance System (AMP) and 120 from the residential system) from two different counties were enrolled. After a brief interactive session focused on the main consequences of smoking, a self-administered questionnaire was anonymously completed. Results: The mean age of the study group was 14 years, with a significant difference between the residential system and AMP (p = 0.001). Smoking status was significantly higher in participants from family-type houses (36.7%) than in those from the AMP (11.7%) (p < 0.001). The presence of smokers in the family (78.3%) and passive smoking (64.7%) were significantly higher in children from the residential system than in those from the AMP (32.9% and 31.8%, respectively) (p < 0.001). The number of cigarettes consumed daily was associated with the age of the participants (p = 0.01, rho 0.42). In total, 82.3% were cigarette users and 19.4% were e-cigarette users. Smokers bought the majority of their cigarettes from the store (63.2%) or asked a friend (19.3%) or an adult to buy them on their behalf (12.3%). Conclusions: The null hypothesis, according to which children who are abandoned but raised and cared for by professional nursing assistants are predisposed to earlier tobacco activity compared to children raised in a normal familiar environment, is supported. Future education and prevention campaigns conveying the benefits of a healthy long-term lifestyle to this population category are needed.

Highlights

  • The prevalence of smoking in the young population is increasing, especially among pubescent and adolescent individuals; the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered a priority for the public health system [1]

  • The minors from the social protection system enrolled in the study originated from the Professional Maternal Assistance System (AMP) and from the residential system, including those from family-type homes and day shelters, respectively

  • Smoking status was significantly higher in participants from family-type houses (36.7%) compared to the AMP (11.7%)

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Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of smoking in the young population is increasing, especially among pubescent and adolescent individuals; the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered a priority for the public health system [1]. Reviews indicate that well-designed and implemented social programs and interventions can effectively help adolescents quit smoking [2] and prevent them from using other substances, such as alcohol or drugs [3,4,5]. The impact of smoking on the young population is an extremely important issue for the public health system. As the prevalence of smoking is considerably increasing amongst the pubescent and adolescent population, the prevention of smoking at this age should be considered of high priority. After a brief interactive session focused on the main consequences of smoking, a self-administered questionnaire was anonymously completed

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