Smokeless tobacco use by youth in the Canadian Arctic.

Results from a 1987 school survey in the Canadian Arctic indicate that among boys, 7% of the 5-9 age group, 12% of the 10-14 and 15-19 age groups were current users of chewing tobacco. Prevalence rates for chewing tobacco use were higher among Dene/Métis and Inuit youth. Among Dene/Métis boys, 21% of the 5-9 age group, 12% of the 10-14 age group and 11% of the 15-19 age group used chewing tobacco. Prevalence rates for Inuit boys in the corresponding age groups were 6%, 19% and 18%. In general, prevalence rates among girls were low. Dene/Métis girls were the exception to this pattern. Eight percent of Dene/Métis girls in the 5-9 and 10-14 age groups reported that they were current users of chewing tobacco. The pattern of snuff use was very similar to the use of chewing tobacco. In the total population 12% of boys in the 5-9 age group and 14% of youth in the 10-14 and 15-19 age groups used snuff. Prevalence rates for snuff use were higher in Native groups. Among Dene/Métis boys, 29% of the 5-9 age group, 20% of the 10-14 age group and 18% of the 15-19 age group used snuff. Prevalence rates for Inuit boys in the corresponding age groups were 14%, 20% and 19%. In the total population, 4% of 5-9 year old girls, 6% of the 10-14 age group and 3% of the 15-19 age group were current snuff users. Prevalence rates were highest in the Dene/Métis group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)