Youth Working in Tobacco Farming: Effects on Smoking Behavior and Health

Abstract

Background Cultivation of tobacco leaf raises concerns about detrimental occupational health and social consequences especially for youth, but tobacco producing countries only highlight economic benefits. We examined sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of underage youth working in tobacco farming and assessed the effects of tobacco farming on smoking behavior and health at one year.Methods We used existing data collected in the province of Jujuy, Argentina where 3188 youth 13 to 17 years of age from a random middle school sample responded to longitudinal questionnaires in 2005 and 2006. Multivariate logistic regression models predicted association of tobacco farming work with smoking behavior and health status at one year.Results 22.8% of youth in the tobacco growing areas of the province were involved in tobacco farming. The mean age of initiation was 12.6 years. Tobacco farming was associated with higher rates of fair or poor versus good or excellent self-perceived health (30.3% vs. 19.0%), having a serious injury (48.5% vs. 38.5%), being injured accidentally by someone else (7.5% vs. 4.6%), being assaulted (5.5% vs. 2.6%), and being poisoned by exposure to chemicals (2.5% vs. 0.7%). Youth working in tobacco farming had higher prevalence of ever (67.9% vs. 55.2%), current (48.0% vs. 32.6%) and established smoking (17.8% vs. 9.9%). In multivariate logistic regression (MLR) models tobacco farming in 2005 significantly increased the likelihood of serious injury (OR=1.4; 95%CI 1.1-2.0), accidental injury by someone else (OR=1.5; 95% 1.0-2.1), assault (OR=2.2; 95% CI 1.3-3.8), poisoning by exposure to chemicals (OR=2.5; 95% CI 1.2-5.4), in the same year. Tobacco farming in 2005 predicted established smoking one year later (OR=1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.0).Conclusion Youth who work in tobacco faming face a challenging burden of adversities that increase their vulnerability. Risk assessments should guide public policies to protect underage youth working in tobacco farming. (297 words)