Abstract:
Objective To understand smoking behavior and related factors among college and middle school students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, so as to provide a technical basis for targeted tobacco control interventions. Methods In September 2023, a total of 93 647 students in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were randomly selected by stratified cluster sampling from 12 league cities and 103 banner counties (cities districts) to conduct a questionnaire survey. The χ2 test and binary Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the current situation of adolescent smoking and its related factors. Results The prevalence of college and middle school students who tried smoking was 10.2%, and the prevalence of current smokers was 4.4%. The binary Logistic regression model showed that students in high school, vocational high school, university, males, those from unstable family, boarders, individuals who sew someone smoking at home, at school, in public places, drinking alcohol, inhaling volatile solvents for pleasure, using cough suppressant except for coughing, using sedative without a doctor's permission, being scolded by parents, experiencing school bullying, being addicted to the Internet, having depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and low self-esteem were more likely to attempt smoking and currently smoke (attempt smoking: OR=1.38, 2.59, 1.75, 3.24, 1.18, 1.43, 1.25, 1.43, 1.43, 0.79, 9.18, 1.42, 1.17, 1.65, 1.52, 1.31, 1.58, 1.41, 1.11, 1.17; current smoking: OR=1.61, 4.76, 3.76, 4.45, 1.17, 1.44, 1.27, 1.58, 1.69, 0.68, 7.99, 1.64, 1.12, 2.31, 1.48, 1.37, 1.26, 1.31, 1.35, P < 0.05). Teenagers with parents who had graduated from high school and eat breakfast every day had a relatively low risk of trying and current smoking (OR=0.78, 0.83, 0.79, 0.84, 0.78, 0.68, P < 0.05). Conclusions Adolescent smoking behaviours in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region exhibit obvious clustering pattern in the school setting. Associated factors includes demographic characteristics, secondhand smoke exposure, daily behaviours and substance abuse, and psychological behaviours. Schools, families and society should work together to create a smoke-free environment to protect adolescents from the harms of tobacco.