Examining correlates of different cigarette access behaviours among Canadian youth: Data from the Canadian Youth Smoking Survey (2006)

Understanding factors associated with youth cigarette access behaviours can provide insight into the development of more effective means of preventing youth from accessing cigarettes. This cross-sectional study used self-reported data collected from 41,886 students in grades 9 to 12 who participated in the 2006–07 Youth Smoking Survey to examine the student- and school-level characteristics that differentiate youth smokers who usually access cigarettes from a social source versus buying their own from retailers. Multi-level regression analyses revealed significant between-school variability in the odds of a smoking student reporting that they usually buy their own cigarettes. Important student-level characteristics associated with how youth usually access their cigarettes included binge drinking and being asked for age or photo identification when purchasing cigarettes from a retailer. Future studies should further explore the school- and student-level characteristics associated with youth cigarette access behaviour.

► Numerous Canadian youth smokers report usually buying their own cigarettes.
► There is significant between-school variability with how youth access cigarettes.
► A high prevalence of smoking youth report alcohol and marijuana use.
► Youth asked for age or ID were more likely to report buying their own cigarettes.