Smoking Among Off-Reserve First Nations, Métis, and Inuit High School Students

Abstract

Using data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS), this study investigated associations between smoking and a number of school, peer, and family characteristics among off-reserve First Nations (n = 2,308), Métis (n = 2,058), and Inuit (n = 655) high school students aged 12 to 21 years. Logistic regressions revealed important group differences in Indigenous youths' correlates of smoking. Characteristics that were negatively associated with smoking included attending a school with a positive environment or having peers with high educational aspirations among First Nations students; participating in school-based club extra-curricular activities or living in a smoke-free home among Métis; and living in higher-income families among Inuit. A consistent risk factor for smoking among all Indigenous students was having close friends who engaged in risk behaviours.

Tobacco Smoking Among First Nations Youth Living On-Reserve and in Northern Communities: A Mixed Methods Study

“…The majority-about 3 out of 4-of First Nations youth living on reserve and in Northern communities do not currently smoke tobacco but, given the significant health consequences of smoking and the higher rate of smoking for First Nations youth living in these communities compared to other Indigenous youth (Bougie & Kohen, 2018;Elton-Marshall et al, 2011;Gionet & Roshanafshar, 2013), it is critical to understand factors that promote youth resilience against tobacco use. This is particularly important for the development of programming.…”

“…The prevalence of tobacco smoking among First Nations youth living on reserve and in Northern communities is significantly higher than for off-reserve Indigenous youth and non-Indigenous youth in Canada (Bougie & Kohen, 2018;Elton-Marshall et al, 2011;Gionet & Roshanafshar, 2013). Recent reports, however, indicate that the majority of First Nations youth do not smoke tobacco (First Nations Information Governance Centre [FNIGC], 2016b).…”

“…Among the general and off-reserve First Nations youth populations, peer tobacco smoking was also found to have an influence on youth smoking behaviour. Far higher proportions of current smokers have friends who smoke, compared to non-smoking youth (Bougie & Kohen, 2018;Kaai et al, 2014;Population Health Research Group, 2008). While families and peer groups are influential in teen smoking initiation (Valentine et al, 2003), having a best friend who smokes has been identified as the most powerful predictor of tobacco smoking among Indigenous youth (Hutchison et al, 2008).…”

Traditional activities and general and mental health of adult Indigenous peoples living off-reserve in Canada

“…However, all 2017 responses were either “Male” or “Female” thus only responses of “Male” or “Female” were included in analyses. Education was trichotomized as “less than high school,” “high school or equivalent,” and “more than high school” to correspond with similar studies ( 42 , 44 , 49 ). The seven APS levels of income were collapsed to four: “ < $10,000,” “between $10,000–$30,000,” “between $30,000–$50,000,” and “$50,000 and more” in the previous year to align with Statistics Canada's 2011 Low-Income Cut-Offs ( 50 ).…”

Correlates of Perceptions of Bullying at School among First Nations Youth Living Off Reserve

“…Similar results have been observed among First Nations youth living off reserve. For example, a positive school environment has been associated with a lower likelihood of reporting poorer mental health and ever considering suicide (Guèvremont et al 2016) as well as a lower prevalence of aboriginal policy studies 8 smoking (Bougie and Kohen 2018). There is also evidence that school-based culturallyrelevant programs for First Nations youth may have positive impacts on their well-being (see Crooks et al 2017).…”