Regarding the demographic correlates of latent classes of Nintedanib mechanism suicidality and tobacco use as well as their interrelation with one another, the results of this study are consistent with those found in other studies of tobacco use and suicidality among Black adults and extend these findings to an adolescent sample. Males were more likely to be former and current smokers versus nonsmokers than females (King, Bendel, & Delaronde, 1998; King, Polednak, & Bendel, 1999). Males were less likely than females to report feeling sad and suicidal behaviors versus not feeling suicidal (Wang, Browne, Storr, & Wagner, 2005). Persons most at risk for suicidality compared with not being suicidal were those who were current smokers compared with nonsmokers (Wang et al., 2005).
However, there are several findings from our analysis, which are notable and expand the current body of literature. First, this study describes specific profiles of smoking behavior among a nationally representative sample of Black high school students. Light current smokers were more likely to report initiating smoking at older ages compared with frequent current smokers. Frequent current smokers had a 70% chance of initiating smoking by age 14. Additionally, frequent current smokers had a 70% chance of reporting smoking two to twenty cigarettes with a 70% chance of smoking at least 20�C30 days each month. Given the higher probability of earlier age of initiation and frequency of smoking combined with the fact that the addictive characteristics and health effects of tobacco use are more difficult to treat with longer and greater exposure, this subgroup warrants special consideration.
Comparatively, Black adolescents are as likely as White youth to try smoking cigarettes and to smoke a whole cigarette before 13 years old (CDC, 2011). However, White youth are significantly more likely than Blacks to have smoked recently (11.6% vs. 23.2%) and to smoke more than 10 cigarettes/day on the days that they smoke (6.1% vs. 11.9%, respectively; CDC, 2011). Thus, White youth are more likely to engage in riskier forms of smoking behavior compared with Blacks. This is similar to findings among adults, where Blacks are found to consistently smoke less than Whites but are less likely to quit and experience disproportionate health problems from their tobacco use (King, Polednak, Bendel, Vilsaint, & Nahata, 2004; USDHHS, 1998).
Thus, this study verifies the behavioral pattern of lower frequency of use Brefeldin_A found in adults, and it would be reasonable to hypothesize that Black youth who smoke are also at greater risk for tobacco-related health disparities and difficulty in quitting. Regardless of racial classification, adolescent current smoking has important health and social implications, and a substantial proportion of adolescents are engaging in this behavior.