title: Smoking behaviours among young people in custody in New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite smoking prevalence reductions in the general community, rates remain high among socially disadvantaged populations. This study describes the prevalence and predictors for smoking among young people in custody.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2009 NSW Young People in Custody Health Survey was conducted in nine juvenile detention centres. This paper reports on findings from the baseline questionnaire which included questions about smoking behaviours. Chi-squared statistics were used to compare the smoking characteristics by gender and Aboriginality. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of smoking behaviours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The baseline questionnaire included 316 participants with a response rate of 83%. The sample was 88% male, 48% Aboriginal, with an average age of 17 years (range 13-21 years). Nearly all (94%) participants had ever smoked tobacco, with 79% reporting smoking daily prior to custody. Predictors of heavy smoking (20 or more cigarettes per day) prior to custody included being female, high psychological distress and conduct disorder. Predictors for being a current smoker included being on remand, risky drinking and most or all friends as smokers. Predictors of being an aspirational smoker (will smoke on release) included using illicit drugs at least weekly prior to custody, and having most or all friends as smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rates of smoking in young people entering custody are exceptionally high. Many young people continue to smoke during their incarceration, with an increasing aspiration to smoke upon release. Effective programs are needed that address these smoking behaviours in young people in custody.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Research in Criminal Justice, Justice Health, Sydney, Australia. devon.indig@justicehealth.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Indig
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haysom
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult