The prevalence of unrecognized tobacco use among young adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of smoking among young adults and to describe their characteristics.


METHODS
Data were examined from the Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey, a telephone survey of 8821 residents with a sample of 1205 young adults.


RESULTS
Prevalence was 39% using the adolescent definition and 32% using the adult definition. Nearly 1 in 5 young adult smokers may be considered a "previously unrecognized smoker" who would not have been identified as a cigarette user according to the standard adult definition.


CONCLUSIONS
Future studies assessing prevalence should use both adolescent and adult measures.
Foldes
Steven S
SS
Center for Prevention, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA. steven.foldes@gmail.com
An
Lawrence C
LC
Rode
Pete
P
Schillo
Barbara A
BA
Davern
Michael
M
Alesci
Nina L
NL
Kinney
Ann M
AM
Saul
Jessie
J
Zupan
Brian A
BA
Manley
Marc W
MW
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D055815:Young Adult