Characteristics associated with smoking in a Hispanic college student sample

This study examined the smoking related behaviors of Hispanic young adult college students as part of a larger study that assessed characteristics of Hispanic smokers in a metropolitan area on the U.S./México border. One hundred seventy-four English-speaking Hispanic college students completed questionnaires that assessed tobacco use, drug/alcohol use, body mass index, weight concerns, acculturation, depressive symptoms, and expired carbon monoxide level. Of the 74 smoking participants (42.5% of the sample), 77% reported light or intermittent smoking. Univariate analyses and a backward elimination logistic regression model were used to compare smokers' and nonsmokers' characteristics. Significant univariate differences between smokers and nonsmokers were higher reported weekly alcohol use and ever use of marijuana. Logistic regression findings indicated smokers reported heightened odds of being younger, lower acculturation, ever use of drugs, and weekly drinking. These results suggest a drug and alcohol use component is important to cessation interventions targeted toward Hispanic college student smokers.