Research

Designing a tobacco counter-marketing campaign for African American youth
A qualitative study explored the tobacco industry marketing messages that target African American youth, particularly those relating to menthol cigarettes. A review of tobacco industry documents found tobacco industry studies of AA culture, and revealed multifaceted efforts to recruit young AA as new smokers. In addition, the researchers conducted focus groups with middle school-aged African American youth to assess their knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and beliefs about cigarette smoking, social influences, and tobacco industry marketing. The focus group discussions revealed that many AA youths are not aware that they are being targeted by the tobacco industry. The findings also showed that youths are exposed to smoking in various social contexts, and that while most youths are aware of the negative health consequences of smoking they may need to learn skills to reject smoking. The researchers note that influential community members or popular culture icons could play an important role in antismoking campaigns to motivate urban youth to embrace anti-smoking attitudes. Click here to access the research article, which is published online in Tobacco Induced Diseases.

Lung cancer incidence among American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, 1999-2004
Although smoking rates are high among American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN), lung cancer incidence has not been well documented in this demographic group. The results of epidemiologic studies have been weakened by race misclassification, and AI/AN individuals were not accurately represented in cancer registries until the 1990s. Cancer surveillance data from multiple sources was analyzed along with Indian Health Service registration databases to identify AI/AN patients and correctly classify their race. The data showed that while lung cancer rates were lower among AI/ANs compared to non-Hispanic whites, lung cancer was more common at a younger age among AI/AN patients. Also, lung cancer rates have not decreased among AI/ANs as they have among non-Hispanic whites. The study demonstrates the need for culturally appropriate tobacco prevention and control measures for AI/AN individuals, particularly in areas with high lung cancer rates, such as Alaska and the Plains. Click here for more information.

Longitudinal rates of smoking in a schizophrenia sample
Smoking rates are disproportionately high among individuals with mental illnesses, yet little is known about smoking rates and associated factors over time. A recent study examined trends in smoking among schizophrenia patients over the course of 11 years. During the study period, the prevalence of current smoking decreased among the outpatient population, and the amount of individuals who had quit smoking nearly tripled. A change in antipsychotic medications was not predictive of smoking status. Formal enrollment in the facility’s smoking cessation program had no statistically significant effect on smoking prevalence; however, individuals who had successfully quit smoking were more likely to report that the cessation program was helpful. Medical research on neurological pathways shared between schizophrenia and smoking has established the hypothesis that schizophrenia patients smoke to self-medicate deficits in neural nicotinic receptor functioning. According to the researchers, the findings of this study challenge the common misperception that smokers with schizophrenia are unable to quit. Click here to access the abstract of the research, which was published in the journal Tobacco Control.

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Reports

Announcing: The National Latino Tobacco Control Network
The National Latino Tobacco Control Network (NLTCN) is a new national collaboration between various public health groups and community organizations that began operating in July 2008 to address tobacco use among Hispanics and Latinos. NLTCN aims to build leadership, inform, support, and organize a national network of tobacco control experts and advocates to work with Latino communities, states, and coalitions. As one of six national networks currently leading tobacco control efforts for priority populations, NLTCN is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Click here to navigate to the NLTCN website, or click here to download a brochure with more information. NLTCN is currently compiling a directory of individuals who are interested in or currently working in the Hispanic community to address tobacco use, alcohol and drug abuse, and other disparities. For details on joining the network, please email Mr. Jean Leroux at jleroux@indianalatino.com.

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