Specific aspects of tobacco smoking among Russian teenage girls

Abstract

Purpose. The study is to analyze tobacco smoking among girls aged 15–17 years according to the data of the all-Russian epidemiological monitoring conducted in 2019–2020 and to identify the main aspects and directions of tobacco smoking prevention among girls.

Materials and methods. In 2019–2020, on the basis of a multi-stage selection from 12 constituent entities of the Russian Federation (6 Federal Districts), secondary schools were selected by random sampling from urban areas, in which a continuous anonymous survey of students in grades 9–11 was conducted. The total number of respondents was 14084 teenagers (6535 boys and 7549 girls).

Results. The data analysis showed that the prevalence of tobacco smoking among girls did not differ significantly from that of boys. Girls started smoking later than boys, but the intensity of initiation at the age of 13–14 years is higher than among boys. The structure of the motives of the first smoking test in boys and girls is the same. However, girls who tried smoking for the first time significantly outperformed boys by the motive «out of curiosity», and boys — «to feel like an adult» and «to please someone.» For most of the main reasons for smoking, girls did not differ significantly from boys, but girls smoked more often to «calm down,» and boys — «to seem more mature.» Awareness of the dangers of smoking among girls is slightly higher than among boys, and their sources of information are more reliable and scientifically based.

Conclusion. In 2019–2020 the prevalence of tobacco smoking among girls for the first time in 20 years of monitoring has become the same as among boys, and in some surveyed cities — even higher. In our opinion, this is due to the fact that society’s attitude towards women smoking has changed. Tobacco smoking among women has become less condemned and quite acceptable. However, this working hypothesis requires further, more detailed study.