Nativity Status and Tobacco Use among Young Adults in the United States

Strategic Insights -

Young adults born outside of the United States tend to use tobacco products less frequently than their US-born peers, according to a recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The research, conducted by Peace C. Okpala and colleagues at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (2015-2019) to examine the relationship between nativity status and tobacco use among young adults. The findings suggest that targeted interventions by nativity status may be necessary to prevent tobacco use among this vulnerable population.

Key Takeaways:

  • Young adults born outside of the United States are significantly less likely to use any tobacco product, with a prevalence of 7.3% compared to 10.7% among US-born young adults.
  • Foreign-born young adults are also less likely to use specific tobacco products, such as cigarettes (1.8% vs. 4.8%), cigars (2.3% vs. 4.5%), and e-cigarettes (4.5% vs. 7.3%).
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of considering nativity status in tobacco prevention efforts, as US-born young adults may require specific interventions to address their higher rates of tobacco use.
  • The study's data were obtained from the National Health Interview Survey (2015-2019), a nationally representative sample of the US population.
  • The analysis controlled for various factors, including age, sex, race-ethnicity, education, and poverty, to ensure accurate comparisons between nativity groups.

Statistics:

  • Prevalence of tobacco use among US-born young adults: 10.7% (cigarettes), 4.8% (cigars), 4.5% (e-cigarettes)
  • Prevalence of tobacco use among foreign-born young adults: 10.7% (cigarettes), 7.3% (cigars), 7.3% (e-cigarettes)
  • Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for tobacco use among foreign-born young adults compared to US-born young adults: Cigarette AOR = 0.69 (CI: 0.54-0.87); Cigar AOR = 0.36 (CI: 0.23-0.58); E-cigarette AOR = 0.55 (CI: 0.33-0.93)

Sources:

  • Okpala, P. C., et al. (2022). Nativity Status and Poly Tobacco Use among Young Adults in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1230), 1230. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19031230
  • National Health Interview Survey (2015-2019)
  • University of North Carolina Greensboro, Department of Public Health Education
  • MDPI AG (publisher of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)