The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective:

The Mauritania Survey was a school-based survey of students in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year, conducted in 2001. The survey attempts to highlight tobacco effects on youth, to draw parents' attention on tobacco the danger for teens and to sensitize public authorities on the issue.

Methods:

The Mauritania Survey includes data on prevalence of cigarette and other tobacco use as well as information on five determinants of tobacco use: access/availability and price, experimental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS), cessation, media and advertising, and school curriculum.

Results:

31.8% of students had ever smoked cigarettes (Male = 38.9%, Female = 22.9%) 28.4% currently use any tobacco product (Male = 33.7%, Female = 22.7%) 17.7% currently smoke cigarettes (Male = 24.1%, Female = 10.6%) 17.7% currently use other tobacco products (Male = 18.9%, Female = 16.5%) 17.6% of never smokers are likely to initiate smoking next year