Publication year: 2011
Source: Addictive Behaviors, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 23 May 2011
Susanna U., Raisamo , David T., Doku , Arja H., Rimpelä
Background: Available research provides evidence that adolescents use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products. Yet, little is known about reasons and motives behind their use. The present study examined the reasons for NRT use among 14-18-year-old Finnish adolescents. Method: A national Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey conducted in Finland in 2009 (N=4,834, response rate 55%). Main measures were prevalence of NRT use, self-reported reasons for using NRT and smoking status. Results: Overall, 10 % had used NRT. Boys used NRT more often than girls (11.5% versus 8.7%, p<.001). The three most commonly reported reasons were ‘just try’ (56%), ‘to quit’ (33%) and ‘smoking not possible’ (24%)....
Research highlights: ► The overall prevalence of NRT use among 14-18-year-olds was 10%. ► A majority of NRT users were daily smokers. ► The three most common reasons for NRT use were “just try” (56%), followed by “to quit” (33%) and “smoking was not possible” (24%).