Trends in Tobacco Use among Children and Adolescents in Israel, 1998-2015.

Riki Tesler,Yossi Harel Fisch,Tanya Kolobov,Liat Korn,Diane Levin-Zamir,Kerem Shuval,Adilson Marques

doi:10.3390/ijerph17041354

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to measure trends in cigarette smoking among children and adolescents in Israel, focusing on school grade, sex, and ethnicity. We hypothesized that smoking would be higher among boys and Arab-Israelis, rates would grow with age, and there would be a decline over time. Methods: Data were derived from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study between 1998 and 2015 in Israel. The total sample included 56,513 students in grades 6, 8, and 10, with 29,411 girls and 27,102 boys. Descriptive analysis described trends of smoking behavior according to grade, sex, ethnicity, family affluence, and year of study. multivariate logistic regression analysis examined predicting variables. Results: Smoking was higher among boys in all grades, ethnic groups, and years of study, with the highest frequencies among Arab-Israelis. Trends over the years show a decline from 1998 to 2004, followed by an increase for both sexes. The increase was more prominent among girls. Logistic regression analysis revealed strong associations between smoking and grade, sex, ethnicity, and year of study. Conclusions: The results of this study can significantly enhance the development and implementation of smoking prevention and control programs among students in Israel.

Highlights

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality
We examined whether smoking trends in Israel changed from 1998 to 2015 with a focus on grade, sex and ethnicity
Among Jewish boys, the ever smoking rate in 6th grade was 7.1% in 1998 and decreased to 4.7% in 2015; in 8th grade it decreased from 15.7% in 1998 to 6.8% in 2015; and in 10th grade it decreased from 31.6% in 1998 to 18.2% in 2015

Summary

Introduction

Tobacco use is the world’s leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality. Cigarette smoking is a dangerous behavioral health pattern, often causing serious illnesses responsible for morbidity and mortality, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory problems [3,4]. Smoking among adolescents has been associated with eating disorders, alcohol consumption, bullying, drug consumption, and delinquency [5,6,7]. Engaging in such risky behavior is often a means to gain recognition, control, and a sense of independence; it could lead to habitual behavior and adverse health outcomes [6,7,8]

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Conclusion