Predictors of chewing tobacco and cigarette use in a multiethnic public school population

Smoking and tobacco-chewing habits of sixth and seventh graders were investigated. Four hundred thirty-three white, black, Mexican-American, and Oriental students in San Diego public schools self-reported their tobacco use as well as perceptions of use among their peers and friends, parental socio-economic status, and other variables. One-third of the respondents had used some form of tobacco at least once, with cigarette smoking more common than chewing. Norm perceptions and best friend's habits predicted both smoking and chewing experimentation and prevalence. White males were more frequent "chewers," while blacks and Mexican-Americans were more frequent smokers. Significant associations between the two types of tobacco use were also found.