Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Associated Factors Among Secondary School Students in Niger State

Tobacco use initiation during adolescence establishes patterns of addiction that persist into adulthood, making secondary school populations critical targets for tobacco control interventions. This study assessed the prevalence of tobacco use and associated risk factors among secondary school students in Niger State, North Central Nigeria. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Minna and Suleja LGAs, enrolling 350 Senior Secondary School students from eight public and private secondary schools through stratified random sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire assessed lifetime and current tobacco use, type of tobacco products used, age of initiation, peer and family influences, and knowledge of tobacco-related health hazards. Results showed a lifetime tobacco use prevalence of 18.3 percent and current tobacco use of 11.1 percent. Cigarette smoking was the dominant form (76.9 percent of users), with waterpipe (shisha) use accounting for 18.5 percent. Peer pressure was the most commonly cited initiation factor (68.4 percent of users). Male gender (OR 4.1; p < 0.001), having a tobacco-using friend (OR 3.6; p < 0.001), and parental tobacco use (OR 2.4; p < 0.01) were significant predictors. Knowledge of health hazards was adequate in 62.3 percent but was not protective against initiation in this sample. Recommendations include tobacco-free school policies, peer-led cessation programmes, stronger enforcement of minimum age regulations, and parental engagement campaigns in Niger State secondary schools. Keywords: tobacco use, secondary school students, adolescent health, Niger State, North Central Nigeria