Trends in tobacco use among Estonian and Russian youth in Tallinn

Smoking behaviour and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) were examined in three cross-sectional surveys from 1991/92, 1993/94, and 1995/96. The study population comprised 3,185 Estonian and Russian adolescents from 17 schools in Tallinn, Estonia. Prevalence of ever-smoking girls increased by 13 percentage points versus 2% among boys during the study period. Mean ages of the first experimentation with tobacco and exposure to ETS did not change significantly. Regular smoking increased significantly from 1991/92 to 1995/96. Detailed analyses for the 1995/96 survey showed that among ethnic Estonians, compared with ethnic Russians, the prevalence of ever-smokers and regular smoking were higher, mean age for the first experimentation was younger, and on average, Estonians smoked more cigarettes per week. The smoking trend among adolescents in Estonia is worsening; especially among Estonian youth. This study identifies a compelling need for national and community-wide efforts to deter adolescents from smoking and to reduce the exposure to ETS.