Research

Adolescents with conduct disorder: early smoking and treatment requests
This study examined the developmental smoking trajectory among 117 adolescents with conduct disorders. Logistic regression revealed that adolescents with conduct disorders smoked their first whole cigarette earlier and sought cessation treatment earlier compared to those without conduct disorders. Additionally, adolescents who smoked their first whole cigarette before the age of nine were eight times more likely to have a conduct disorder. The study points to the need to target prevention interventions for youth with conduct disorders. To read the study abstract, published in the American Journal on Addictions, click here.

New report shows Massachusetts is falling behind in protecting kids from tobacco
A new report released by the Tobacco Free Mass Coalition and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reveals that the progress Massachusetts had made in reducing smoking has stopped and may even have started to reverse. The state has been widely recognized as a national leader in fighting tobacco use, but has now fallen behind the nation as a whole in reducing cigarette sales. Funding cuts of 95 percent from 2000 to 2004 may help to explain the lack of change in smoking rates seen among the state’s high school students between 2003 to 2005. Click here to read more.

Teenager brains are wired for risky behavior
New research reveals that adolescents’ brains are more susceptible to engaging in risky or dangerous behavior, suggesting that the use of educational and prevention programs alone may not be enough to persuade teens to abstain from smoking. The study, completed by researchers at Temple University, reviewed research on adolescent brain development over the past 10 years to find why the current anti-smoking educational programs have not been especially effective. Researchers found evidence of two competing adolescent brain systems, the socio-emotional and cognitive-control networks, which develop along very different timetables. Click here to read the press release.

Projects

Harvard group joins anti-smoking stand
Harvard’s School of Public Health has joined a growing group of organizations urging Hollywood studios to curb cigarette smoking in movies seen by young people. Harvard representatives, as well as those from Johns Hopkins, recently convened at a closed door meeting with Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to address the issue. The presentations made by the school to the MPAA are available online by clicking here. Recently, pressure has been mounting to enact standards that would factor in on screen smoking into the film rating system. For the Harvard School of Public Health press release, click here.

Smokeless tobacco comes with many health hazards
A new campaign developed by the Not to Kids! Coalition of 27 Health Units across Ontario is focusing on the use of chewing tobacco among youth. The new campaign’s goals are to increase awareness among youth ages 13 to 18 of the health hazards of chewing tobacco and to increase awareness of the marketing strategies that are used to promote the product among youth. The campaign will include a mass media and public education component, LostJaw! which will be launched in high schools and youth community settings. The LostJaw! campaign is funded by Health Canada and includes a graphic poster depicting the disfigured oral cancer risk associated with using smokeless tobacco. Click here to read more.

Through Raze, teens tear down tobacco lies
Raze, an organization run by West Virginia teens, provides a way for teens to learn about the detrimental effects of tobacco use and to spread the word to other teens. The organization was founded in 2002 by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Department of Education. The organization holds a yearly conference that will occur this year at the University of Charleston on June 10-12. Any teen between the ages of 13 and 18 is encouraged to join Raze; every middle and high school in the state has its own Raze crew. For more information about the organization, click here. To access the press release, click here.

Truth ® continues to present baffling Q’s and A’s in documentary-style campaign
The second phase of the truth® documentary campaign is underway. Labeled “documentary” for the style in which the ads are shot, the television advertisements feature one correspondent and a camera crew investigating the absurdity behind some ideas from Big Tobacco. Each of the illogical situations in the campaign raises a few questions that resonate with teens, including the central question of the campaign: “whudafxup,” a made-up word that has its roots in the youth culture. To read the press release from the American Legacy Foundation, click here.

Vermont Department of Health launches "Butts of Hollywood" campaign
The Vermont Department of Health launched a campaign aimed at cigarette use in movies called "Butts of Hollywood”. The primary goals of the campaign are to educate youth about tobacco use in the movies and to inspire teens to think critically and start talking about what they see on screen. A new series of animated TV spots illustrating how big tobacco companies have inserted their products in the world of movies will kick off the campaign. The campaign also questions why tobacco product placement still happens when tobacco manufacturers are banned from paying for product placement in movies. The television spots will air during TV shows and movies that are popular with teens. For the complete story, click here.

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