EU launches anti-smoking virals
The European Union has launched a unique health promotion campaign through viral videos posted online to youth community websites. Each short video, directed toward youths, “markets” a tobacco-related “product” while delivering an antismoking message. For example, one video touts a facial cleanser called Nicoclean that “gives users a deathly gray complexion in minutes.” Learn more here.

Smokin' in the boys (and girls) room
Many efforts have been made to decrease teen smoking, such as cigarette taxes, cessation programs, and attempts to stop marketing to underage smokers. This Newsweek article describes the various legislative approaches, including Oregon’s Measure 50, that have aimed to reduce teen smoking. Click here for more information.

Emotional intelligence and the use of tobacco and cannabis
Research has linked low perceived emotional intelligence to a higher likelihood of tobacco and cannabis use. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and regulate one’s emotions, and to interact with others. Those who felt less able to regulate their emotions were more likely to use cannabis and tobacco. Therefore, programs to improve teenagers’ emotional intelligence might be an effective approach to reducing use of these substances. Read a summary of the research here.

The effect of working for pay on adolescent tobacco use
A study of urban teenagers found that those who worked for money at a high intensity were more likely to smoke. This group was also more likely to start smoking at an earlier age. However, those who worked a moderate amount did not have high smoking rates. Workplaces that employ many teenagers (such as retail shops and restaurants) should consider becoming smoke free or instituting smoking prevention programs. Read the abstract here.

Effect of restrictions on smoking at home, at school, and in public places on teenage smoking: cross sectional study
This study links restrictions on smoking with decreased smoking prevalence in teens and with teens being at an earlier stage of smoking if onset had occurred. Rules against smoking in the home were found to be the strongest deterrent of smoking. Public smoking bans also played a smaller role in reducing smoking. The study found that for smoking prevalence to decrease at school, bans had to be strictly enforced. Click here to read the article.

Association between national smoking prevention campaigns and perceived smoking prevalence among youth in the United States
This research article states that the Truth Campaign, “Think. Don’t Smoke” changed teens’ beliefs about smoking because of its clever social marketing. After exposure to the campaign, teens’ perceived prevalence of smoking among their peers dropped. However, in general, the more antismoking messages youths were exposed to, the more favorable their attitudes were toward smoking. Therefore, such campaigns have the potential to reach a teen audience and alter their beliefs about smoking, but the way the message is delivered matters. Read an introduction to the article from the Cancer Journal for Clinicians, “Building a Better Youth Antismoking Campaign” on their website. Read the article’s abstract here.

RJR drops print ads
Amid protests from the anti-smoking group Tobacco Free Kids over an advertisement for Camel cigarettes in Rolling Stone Magazine, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco has decided to completely stop marketing in consumer magazines and newspapers. The controversy was over cartoon-like drawings featured in the Camel advertisement which could be easily confused with the magazine’s editorial content by the 13% of Rolling Stone readers who are between the ages of 12 and 17. R.J. Reynolds maintains that the marketing change was a business decision not connected to the uproar over the Rolling Stone advertisement, and states that the company will instead market to age-verified audiences through direct mail to current smokers and at adults-only events. Learn more here.

top

Back to Table of Contents