Correlates of susceptibility to tobacco use among never-smoking youth in four eastern and southern European countries

Introduction and Objective. Young adults demonstrate the highest prevalence of cigarette and e-cigarette use which justifies conducting research in attempt to identify correlates of the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The aim of the study was to compare predictors related to smoking susceptibility among adolescents in four Eastern and Southern European countries. Materials and method. The latest data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), obtained from Latvia (2019), Moldova (2019), Montenegro (2018), and San Marino (2018) were subject to analysis. The research tool was a standardized, anonymous survey questionnaire, consisting of basic questions regarding socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of tobacco smoking, knowledge and attitudes of young people about and to smoking, access to cigarettes, the role of advertising and the media in tobacco smoking. Results. Nearly one-third of young adults were prone to smoking in San Marino and a one-fourth in Latvia. In all four analyzed countries, exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) in public places was a predictor of vulnerability to tobacco use (OR 1.4 – 1.79; p<0.01 in Montenegro; p<0.001 in Moldova). In three analyzed countries, the correlates were: exposure to SHS at home (OR 1.31; p<0.05 in Latvia; 1.51; p<0.01 in Moldova; 1.91; p<0.01 in San Marino), the feeling of comfort (OR 1.59; p< 0.001 in Latvia; 1.45; p< 0.01 in Moldova; 1.41; p< 0.01 in Montenegro), and the opinion that a smoker can easily quit smoking (OR 1.39; p< 0.05 in Latvia; 1.84; p< 0.001 in Moldova; 1.4; p<0.05 in Montenegro). Conclusions. Political factors (observance of smoking bans in public places and homes) were strongly correlated with tobacco use susceptibility. These results should induce governments to intensify interventions to encourage tobacco-free homes, and control smoking bans in public places.