The objective of this study was to utilize cross-sectional surveys to identify factors associated with past 30-day tobacco use among a sample youth and to determine whether regional differences exist. Data were obtained from the Virginia Youth Survey (2015 and 2017). Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between measures of past 30-day tobacco use and region, sex, grade, race/ethnicity, tobacco advertisement exposure, and presence of tobacco-free policies in the home and personal vehicles. These correlates were selected based upon existing literature on youth tobacco use. Past 30-day cigarette use, combustible tobacco use, non-combustible tobacco use, and dual product use were associated with region, sex, grade, and race/ethnicity. Specifically, youth residing in the Southwestern region of the state, males, and non-Hispanic White students and youth of other race/ethnicity were more likely to report past 30-day tobacco use. Additionally, higher levels of exposure to tobacco advertisements was also associated with past 30-day tobacco use. Future research needs to investigate the mechanisms by which youth tobacco use may differ by region, to help guide and target future policy and programming related to tobacco prevention and control at the local level.
Keywords: Cigarettes; Smoking; Tobacco; Youth; e-cigarettes.