School activities may be key to tobacco cessation for Native American adolescents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Native American adolescents have higher rates of cigarette smoking than other racial or ethnic groups. New research from the University of Missouri on the smoking habits of Native American adolescents finds that family warmth and support, as well as participation in school activities, can play a role in tobacco prevention.

"Tobacco use among all adolescents has been declining; however, we are still seeing higher rates in Native American populations," said Mansoo Yu, associate professor of social work and public health in the School of Social Work. "This study was focused on understanding what may predict tobacco use in this population to determine better intervention programs to help curb teenage smoking among vulnerable populations living on American and Canadian reservations."

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-05-school-key-tobacco-cessation-native.html