Current use of conventional tobacco and novel products among students aged between 13 and 15 years old in Panama nationwide, Bocas del Toro health region, and Ngäbe Buglé and Guna Yala indigenous health regions: Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023

Panama has the lowest overall prevalence of tobacco use in the Americas. However, rates were higher in 3 health areas compared with the national average. Since most people who smoke started during adolescence, this population must be a target of health interventions. This study assesses the current tobacco use prevalence in Bocas del Toro, Ngäbe-Buglé, Guna Yala and nationwide. The national prevalence of any tobacco product consumption was 8.5% (95% confidence intervals: 6.9%-10.6%). Ngäbe-Buglé health region had the largest prevalence of any current tobacco use 16.9% (95% confidence intervals: 14.2%-19.9%), while both in Bocas del Toro and in Guna Yala was 10.9%. There is still a need for more indigenous-specific data to improve tobacco control and reduce tobacco and novel products use among vulnerable populations.