Research

MMWR — Racial/Ethnic Differences Among Youths in Cigarette Smoking and Susceptibility to Start Smoking — United States, 2002–2004
Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicate that cigarette smoking varied widely among racial/ethnic subpopulations in addition to the major populations of you ages 12-17 years.  To view the article, click here.

New study finds tobacco industry 'prevention' ads don't work and encourage kids to smoke
A new study in the American Journal of Public Health found that the tobacco industry’s ads to prevent youth smoking are ineffective. Furthermore, the study revealed that the ads targeted at parents actually encourage kids to smoke. Among 10th and 12th graders, higher exposure to the parent-targeted ads was positively associated with stronger approval of smoking, stronger intention to smoke, lower perceived harm of smoking, and a greater likelihood of having smoked in the past 30 days. Click here for the abstract.

New study finds tobacco marketing more than doubles odds of children smoking, shows need for congress to grant FDA authority over tobacco
A study published in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine provides evidence of the powerful influence of tobacco marketing on young people. The study found that exposure to tobacco marketing, including advertising, promotion and cigarette sample, and pro-tobacco media depictions more than doubles the odds that children under the age of 18 will become tobacco users. Additionally, such marketing and media depictions lead children who already smoke to smoke more heavily, increasing the odds of progression to heavier use by 42 percent. Advocacy groups, such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are calling for legislation from the FDA to crack down on such marketing. To read the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids’ press release, click here.

No proven programs to help teens quit smoking
A new review in The Cochrane Library reveals that there is no solid evidence about how to help adolescents quit smoking once they have started. Because one-third of smokers smoke their first cigarette before age 14 and almost 90 percent before age 21, most studies have concentrated on prevention, instead of cessation. The study reviewed the relevant literature and found two studies that failed to show that nicotine-replacement therapy impacts quit rates in youth and nine studies showing mixed results with other forms of motivation to quit. Overall, the review demonstrates a lack of best practice in the area of youth cessation tactics. Click here for the press release.  

The more you smoke, the more you’re likely to drink, research concludes
A new study in the journal of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research reveals the connection between youth smoking and alcohol. Looking at data on the smoking and drinking practices of nearly 75,000 subjects ages 12-20, the study revealed a correlation between adolescent smoking and alcohol-use disorders. Researchers speculate that young people who smoke cigarettes may be more prone to have their brains ‘primed’ for alcohol addiction. Click here for more information.

Parental rules and monitoring of children's movie viewing associated with children's risk for smoking and drinking
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School found that children ages 9-12 whose parents do not allow them to watch R-rated movies were 40 percent less likely to consider using cigarettes or alcohol than those children with more permissive parents. Results are published in the November 2006 issue of the journal Pediatrics. Click here to view the abstract.

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American Medical Association families launch $500,000 national grassroots campaign to make youth-rated movies smoke-free
Armed with a $500,000 grant from the American Legacy Foundation, the American Medical Association (AMA) Alliance will launch a nationwide campaign to reduce youth’s exposure to the depiction of smoking in movies. The campaign will lead a parent-to-parent grassroots initiative to make future movies rated G, PG, and PG-13 smoke-free. There are plans to develop the Screen Out! Parent’s Guide to Smoking, Movies, and Children’s Health, which provides parents with the facts about smoking in movies and its impact on youth smoking in the U.S. Click here for the American Legacy Foundation’s press release. To access a list of smoke free movies, as specified by AMA, click here.

New Infect truth campaign gives young people “digital viruses” to spread the truth
The American Legacy Foundation’s national youth smoking prevention campaign launched its newest advertising installment- Infect truth. The campaign includes new TV and print executions, in addition to an interactive component through its website to spread the truth about tobacco use and addiction. Click here for the press release. To learn more about the campaign’s interactive features, click here.

Green eggs and spitless tobacco?
R.J. Reynolds is test-marketing its new product, Snus, a flavored, scentless, spitless tobacco product in two cities: Austin, Texas and Portland, Oregon. A newspaper ad that reads, “Use it in a car, in a house, in a bar,” sounds like a Dr. Seuss rhyme scheme and some direct mail beckons, “Be the first one of your block to try it,” further indicating that children are the target. Click here to read more.

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International

Shops that sell cigarettes to minors face tobacco sale ban
New legislation in the United Kingdom will be put into effect specifying that any shops which are caught selling cigarettes to children will be banned from selling any tobacco products. Additionally, the government will raise the age at which tobacco products can be purchased from 16 to 18. Health ministers are hoping to restrict children’s access to cigarettes and enact this legislation soon. Click here for more information.

Cigarette ‘kiddie packs’ outlawed
Shortly after their introduction, split packs will no longer be allowed in Australia. The packs were introduced earlier this year by Dunhill cigarettes, a luxury brand of cigarettes made by the British American Tobacco (BAT) company. The design allowed young smokers to split the pack, in addition to cost, helping to defer the rising cost of cigarettes. Tobacco representatives explained that the packets were aimed at the younger smokers who like the idea of a smaller, more compact package, an idea inspired by Apple’s iPod. However, the Austrailian Competition and Consumer Commission have ruled that the packs breached the Trade Practices Act. BAT has agreed to remove them from store shelves. Click here to read more.

Whiff of tobacco firms on net
Thousands of videos of sexy smoking teens are appearing on the popular internet site YouTube.com. A global authority on tobacco marketing, Professor Simon Chapman, of the School of Public Health at Sydney University, is accusing the tobacco manufactures of posting the clips. A search of the word ‘smoking’ on the YouTube site returns over 27,000 videos, including those of young women smoking while partying, talking, or simply striking seductive poses. Each day 100 million video clips are viewed on the site. Professor Chapman plans to investigate the issue further with help from a federal grant. Click here to read more.

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