BACKGROUND: Although national epidemiological data related to the use of new and heated tobacco products is still limited, several studies have suggested an increasing trend over the last years. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of main tobacco products use among Tunisian middle school adolescents.
METHODS: Data from the 2024- Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) was used. Based on a clustered two-stage stratification sampling method, the GYTS targeted middle school adolescents aged 13–15 years. Data were anonymously collected using a standardized questionnaire containing questions related to lifetime and current (last 30 days) use of any tobacco product: smokeless tobacco, heated tobacco, water pipe (WP) and e- cigarettes.
RESULTS: A total of 2745 middle school adolescents were enrolled. The prevalence of lifetime smokeless tobacco use was 10.2%, significantly higher in boys (12.0% Vs 8.4%, p=0.02). The prevalence of current WP use was 2.6% and 19.3% have tried WP at least once. This was significantly higher in boys (23.2% Vs 15.4%, p=0.0004). The prevalence of current e-cigarette use was 16.1% and 25.8% have tried e-cigarette at least once, significantly higher in boys (34.4% Vs 17.2%, p<10^-3). As for heated tobacco, 2.9% of participants were current users and the lifetime prevalence was 7.6%, significantly higher in boys (7.2% Vs 12.3%, p<10^-3).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlighted a concerning prevalence of new and heated tobacco products use among Tunisian middle school adolescents. This emphasizes the need to reinforce multisector collaboration through youth-tailored campaigns, and to control digital marketing of these products which increasingly targets this vulnerable population.