Classism and Tobacco Use: How Adolescents’ Experiences with Discrimination Based on Social Class are Associated with Tobacco Use
Author: Busra Dogru
Faculty Supervisor: Zena Mello
Department: Psychology
We examined the association between classism and tobacco use among adolescents. Classism refers to the interpersonal bias and prejudice that adolescents experience because of their social class. Cross-sectional data were collected from 1,678 adolescents, aged 13-18 years (Mage = 15.97). Classism was measured with a self-reported scale. Tobacco use included lifetime or past month use of combustible tobacco products (cigarettes and/or cigars) and nicotine vaping products (e-cigarette/vape devices with nicotine). Adolescents were organized into four groups: no use, combustible tobacco use only, nicotine vaping products only, and dual use of both combustible tobacco and nicotine vaping products. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that classism was associated with lifetime combustible tobacco use and dual use. These associations remained after including covariates, such as age, gender, race/ethnicity, and social class. Findings also indicated that race/ethnicity moderated the association between classism and lifetime combustible tobacco use. Specifically, this association was stronger for European Americans compared to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Black or African Americans, and Latinx participants. Findings emphasize the need to identify and address social determinants of health, including classism. Interventions targeting classism are crucial for preventing adolescent tobacco use and promoting their well-being.