Prevalence and risk factors for tobacco smoking among pre-adolescent Pacific children in New Zealand.

INTRODUCTION: Pacific New Zealanders have a high prevalence of smoking, with many first smoking in their pre-adolescent years. AIM: To identify risk factors for tobacco smoking among Pacific pre-adolescent intermediate school children. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 2208 Pacific students aged between 10 and 13 years from four South Auckland intermediate schools who were asked about their smoking behaviour between the years 2007 and 2009. RESULTS: The prevalence of Pacific ever-smokers (for 2007) in Year 7 was 15.0% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 12.0%–18.3%) and Year 8, 23.0% (95% CI 19.5%–26.7%). Multivariate modelling showed the risk factors for ever-smoking were Cook Island ethnic group (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.26–2.36, ref=Samoan), boys (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.14–1.89), age (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.36–2.00), exposure to smoking in a car within the previous seven days (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.67–3.01), anyone smoking at home within the previous seven days (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.12–2.04) and receiving more than $NZ20 per week as pocket money/allowance (OR=1.91, 95% CI 1.23–2.96). DISCUSSION: Parents control and therefore can modify identified risk factors for Pacific children’s smoking initiation: exposure to smoking at home or in the car and the amount of weekly pocket money the child receives. Primary health care professionals should advise Pacific parents to make their homes and cars smokefree and to monitor their children’s spending. This study also suggests a particular need for specific Cook Island smokefree promotion and cessation resources. KEYWORDS: Adolescent; child; ethnic group; New Zealand; Pacific; smoking