Influence of gender and peer tobacco use on tobacco use intentions after a period of involuntary tobacco abstinence among U.S. Air Force trainees

Abstract

This study examined gender, prior tobacco use, and social-environmental factors as predictors of intentions to use tobacco (cigarette smoking and/or smokeless tobacco [ST]) after a forced period of abstinence among U.S. Air Force (USAF) trainees. Trainees completed 8½ weeks of basic military training (BMT), then 4 weeks of Technical Training; both required abstinence from tobacco. A cross-sectional survey of 13,514 USAF trainees (73% male, 90% age 18–24, 43% prior tobacco use) was conducted at the beginning of the 4-week Technical Training period. Overall, 17% of the sample reported future tobacco use intentions. Intentions for future tobacco use were less prevalent among non-tobacco users before BMT (1%) than those reporting any tobacco use (37%). From a multivariable logistic regression model predicting intentions to use any tobacco after Technical Training, significant two-way interaction effects were detected between gender, and tobacco use prior to BMT (p = 0.0001), and number of close friends who smoked cigarettes (p = 0.018), and number of close friends who used ST (p = 0.029). Among non-tobacco users before BMT, females were more than twice as likely as males to report tobacco intentions (Odds Ratio = 2.2, Bonferroni corrected 95% CI: 1.14.4, p = 0.011); no gender differences were detected among tobacco users. For females, but not males, having more friends who smoked was associated with greater likelihood of tobacco intentions (Bonferroni corrected p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, for males, but not females, having more friends using ST was associated with greater likelihood of tobacco intentions (Bonferroni corrected p < 0.05). In this sample of USAF trainees, the study provides novel findings on how males and females are influenced differently by their prior tobacco use and peers' tobacco use in predicting tobacco intentions. Prevention efforts focused on uptake and resumption of tobacco use, along with gender-specific strategies, may be warranted.

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study

“…25 At the interpersonal level, our findings indicate that peers and superiors play a significant role in influencing smoking and quitting behaviours. Consistent with previous research, [26][27][28] peer influence was reported as a strong factor in developing normative perceptions regarding tobacco use in which smoking was perceived as a 'social activity' and 'social norm' in the military. Our participants perceived an unrealistic high smoking norms among peers, while in fact only about one in five were smokers in the SAF.…”

Socioeconomic characteristics, paternal smoking and secondhand tobacco smoke exposure among infants in Jakarta, Indonesia

“…They are also consistent with a meta-analysis study by Leonardi-Bee et al 27 and systematic literature review by Kusel et al 18 , which found that the use of cigarettes significantly increased if at least one parent smoked, if mothers smoked, fathers smoked, both parents smoked, siblings smoked and other family members smoked. In another study, tobacco use was influenced by the number of close friends who smoked 28 .…”

Gender differences within the barriers to smoking cessation and the preferences for interventions in primary care a qualitative study using focus groups in The Hague, The Netherlands

“… 60 However, a ban on cigarettes resulted in the intention to start smoking twice more often in previously non-smoking women than men. 61 …”

“…60 However, a ban on cigarettes resulted in the intention to start smoking twice more often in previously non-smoking women than men. 61 The strength of this study is the use of focus groups, comparing women to men. This helps to develop a better understanding of gender differences in smoking cessation and thereby to better align interventions in primary care.…”