Factors associated with successful purchase of cigarettes among students aged 11–17 years who made a purchase attempt in The Gambia: Evidence from the 2017 Global Youth Tobacco Survey

INTRODUCTION: Access to tobacco plays a strong role in smoking initiation among youth. This study aimed to quantify successful purchase of cigarettes and assess the factors associated with cigarette purchase access among students aged 11–17 years in The Gambia. METHODS: We used the 2017 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) of 12585 students, aged 11–17 years from The Gambia. The analysis was restricted to 2951 students aged 11–17 years who bought and/or attempted to buy cigarettes within the past 30 days regardless of smoking status. Our outcome was purchasing access, defined as successfully purchasing cigarettes within the past 30 days. We report a weighted prevalence of successful purchase attempt. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the factors associated with successful purchase of cigarettes and was adjusted for non-response and the complex survey design. RESULTS: Most students (59.4%, 95% CI: 55.4–63.3) who attempted to purchase cigarettes were successful, most of whom were boys (61.3%, 95% CI: 57.8–64.6). However, there was no significant difference in successful attempts to purchase cigarettes between boys (59.3%, 95% CI: 54.2–64.2) and girls (59.4%, 95% CI: 55.4–63.3). Older age (AOR=2.45; 95% CI: 1.25–4.78), higher school grade (AOR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.09–2.16) and current cigarettes smoking (AOR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.08–1.85) were significantly associated with successful attempt to purchase cigarettes. Sex, parents’ smoking status and students’ weekly pocket money were not associated with successful cigarettes purchase attempt. Among students who currently smoke cigarettes, 55.6% (95% CI: 47.7–63.2) bought them from a store, shop, street vendor, or canteen; 12.2% (95% CI: 8.3–17.5) obtained them from someone else, and 6.7% (95% CI: 4.4–10.0) used other means the last time they smoked. CONCLUSIONS: Students in The Gambia can purchase cigarettes without much hinderance despite the restrictions. Our research findings can guide the implementation of policies, programs, and public health strategies including more efforts toward implementing tobacco control laws and regulations that protect children from exposure and use of all forms of tobacco products.