Snuff usage among university students in Bergen

Little is known about use of smokeless tobacco among young people in Norway. Objectives: To estimate the lifetime prevalence of tobacco use, and the prevalence and gender distribution of current snuff and cigarette use. To examine oral mucosal changes in young snuff users. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 858 first year students (mean age 21 yr) at the University of Bergen during December 2004 to January 2005. A subsequent clinical examination was conducted among 12 volunteers who confirmed snuff usage. Oral mucosal changes were assessed according to a four-graded scale (Axell et al, 1976) at the Faculty of Dentistry following a brief interview. Results: A total of 339 students (39.5%, 95% CI 36.5-42.5) confirmed ever use of tobacco products. Of those 339, 151 (44.5%, 95% CI 39.5-49.5) reported use of snuff and 224 (68.3%, 95% CI 63.3- 73.3) reported smoking of cigarettes at least occasionally. A total of 12.8% reported use of both snuff and cigarettes. Men reported use of snuff more frequently (64% versus 26.3%) and smoking cigarettes less frequently than females (58.5% versus 77.5%). Students who had ever used tobacco were less likely than their “never used tobacco” counterparts to acknowledge snuff as a health hazard (74.5% versus 56.3%, p<0.001). A clinical examination revealed mucosal changes corresponding to grade 1 in 3 male snuff users and grade 2 in 4 male snuff users. Conclusions: A high proportion of university students in Bergen who confirmed tobacco use were current snuffers. Men reported snuff usage 3 times more frequently than women. The oral mucosal changes observed were of mild character, possibly related to the limited exposure due to the students' young age.