Does the US Navy attract young women who smoke?. Issue 11 (November 1998)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weaver, K B; Woodruff, S I; Conway, T L; Edwards, C C; Zhu, S H; Elder, J P
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 55:Issue 11(1998)
• Page Start: 792
• Page End: 794
• Publication Date: 1998-11
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.55.11.792
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the United States Navy is disproportionately attracting and recruiting female smokers from the civilian sector. METHODS: Standardised comparisons of cigarette use among Navy women recruits and civilian women were conducted with data from a 1996-97 Department of Defense study and the 1994 National Health Interview Survey. RESULTS: Young Navy women recruits (18-22 years) had significantly higher rates of current and heavy smoking than their civilian counterparts after adjusting for differences in sociodemographic characteristics. Smoking rates among older recruits and civilian women (23-30 years) were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the Navy attracts young civilian women who already smoke, many of whom smoke heavily.