Examining the factors associated with tobacco use among adolescents in Qatar in 2018

Background Tobacco use is a global health concern and the negative impact it has on the health of the individuals that use it is indisputable. Between 2004 and 2013, Qatar had an overall increase in the prevalence of smoking, a decline in the role of media in promoting pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco messages, a drop in second hand smoke exposure at home, a rise in smoking prevalence in enclosed public spaces, and a decrease in smoking cessation. Therefore, study looks at the factors associated with tobacco use among school going adolescents in Qatar in 2018, five years after the previous survey. Methods Data from the 2018 Global Youth Tobacco survey were used to conduct a cross-sectional study. The data were collected from school going children using a two-stage sample design to select the respondents. Statistical analysis was conducted using STATA version 13. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the factors. Results Of the respondents, 78.1% were between 13 and 15 years and more than half were females (52.2%). The prevalence of overall current tobacco use was 14.6% (n=254), current Shisha smoking was 4.4%, current E-cigarette use was 10.8%, current smokeless tobacco use was 13.6% and current cigarette smoking was 6.7%. Having tobacco brand logo on personal belonging was positively associated with current tobacco use. Those whose mothers were the only parent smoking in the house were more likely to be current tobacco users compared to those with no parent smoking (AOR: 10.75; 95% Con. Int: 0.99-117.20, p=0.051). No difference between adolescents who were refused cigarette purchase in the past 30 days and those who were not regarding current tobacco use. Conclusion The study shows that smoking by mother and tobacco brand logo on personal belongings play a role in tobacco use among adolescents in Qatar. However, being sold cigarette or not does not prevent the adolescents from tobacco use.