What factors are associated with never initiating smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16-24 years? Evidence from The Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Despite reductions in tobacco smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples since 2004, particularly among youth, smoking remains elevated in Indigenous communities - highlighting the importance of understanding why some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people never take up smoking. METHODS: Taking a strength-based approach and using data from 474 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 16-24-years joining the Next Generation Youth Wellbeing Study (Western and Central Australia, New South Wales), 2018-2020, age-, sex- and family-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for never-smoking relative to sociodemographic, health, social and other factors across soc..