Smokeless tobacco consumption by Mexican-Americans and Anglo-Americans in southwestern New Mexico

Smokeless tobacco use among urban white and black South Africans

A telephone survey was conducted to compare the extent of smokeless tobacco use and perception of related health risks by white and black urban South Africans. Using systematic random sampling, one out of every 20 phone numbers was selected from the Seshego (blacks) and Pietersburg (whites) telephone directory until 300 tobacco users in each site were identified. Among the white group, cigarette smoking was clearly predominant (290) and only 10 used snuff, whereas among the black sample almost half (46.7%) of the tobacco users used snuff, especially women (40%). Although a majority acknowledged negative effects of snuff use on their health and its addictive character, 42% either do not believe or do not know that snuff contains nicotine and causes cancer.

Smokeless tobacco consumption by Mexican-American University students

A modified version of the Illinois Department of Public Health Smokeless Tobacco Survey was administered to 220 women and 134 men attending a state university in New Mexico. The respondents included 65 male and 83 female Mexican-Americans as well as 118 female and 59 male Anglo-Americans. All Mexican-American women identified themselves as nonusers of smokeless tobacco. Of the Anglo-American women, one indicated that she used snuff, and 3 disclosed that they chewed tobacco. 33% of the Anglo-American men and 18% of the Mexican-American men stated that they used smokeless tobacco products. A chi-squared analysis showed this difference was significant. Implications are discussed.