title: Bidi cigarette use among young adults in 15 states.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a paucity of research on bidi use in the US and the few studies conducted have focused solely on adolescents. This article describes patterns and explores factors associated with bidi use among young adults, aged 18-24.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 63,728 adults, including 5,324 young adults, aged 18-24, were derived from an optional tobacco module on the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, administered by 15 states. Logistic regression was utilized to examine factors associated with ever and current bidi use among young adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly two thirds of adults who reported current bidi use were under the age of 25; 16.5% of young adults reported ever use and 1.4% reported current bidi use. Among young adults, higher rates of ever and current bidi use were noted for males, blacks, and current cigarette smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The rates of ever bidi use among young adults may reflect experimentation with bidis during adolescence and raises questions about whether bidis may act as a gateway product to regular cigarette use. The disparities among certain subgroups are noteworthy and deserve further exploration. Tobacco prevention and control programs should address all forms of tobacco use and be cognizant of emerging products.
authors.affiliation: UMDNJ-School of Public Health, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.
authors.forename: Cristine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Delnevo
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Pevzner
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hrywna
authors.forename: M Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology