Research

Cigarette packs need to have horrific graphics to deter teens: research (Canada)
Researchers commissioned by Health Canada have determined that graphic health warnings on cigarette packaging must cover most of the package in order to affect smokers. The purpose of the research was to determine whether to increase the size of cigarette warnings from their current size that takes up 50% of the package to cover a whopping 75, 90, or 100% of packaging. In interviews with smokers and teens who are likely to become smokers, researchers measured perceived communication impact, personal persuasiveness, smoker image, product image, emotional impact and packaging attractiveness of cigarette packaging displaying different-sized warnings.  In order to have a significant effect, researchers say the warnings would need to cover at least 90% of cigarette packaging. These results are consistent with findings from other researchers that the size of the current cigarette warnings does not sufficiently encourage smokers to quit. Click here to read more.

Younger smokers on fast track to behavior problems later
Youths who have tried smoking by seventh grade are not only more likely to become regular smokers later in adolescence, but they are also more prone to behavioral problems. Researchers followed students from seventh through twelfth grade to determine how smoking relates to behavioral risk factors. The data showed that having peers who smoke is a significant risk factor that determines whether an adolescent will become a regular smoker. Teens who had tried smoking by seventh grade were more likely to have problems in school, such as being sent out of class or skipping school. Meanwhile, teens who had not tried smoking by seventh grade were 1.5 times more likely to have good grades. Parental disapproval of smoking was a protective factor against smoking and problem behavior, evidence that adults can significantly influence adolescents’ behavior. Find out more here. Click here to read the abstract of the study, which is published in the October issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health.

College students have smoked hookah pipes as much as cigarettes, poll shows
Surveys have indicated that the prevalence of waterpipe, or hookah, smoking is increasing among college students. A recent study analyzed a random sample of graduate and undergraduate students at a large university to identify predictors of waterpipe use. Forty percent of the students surveyed had ever smoked waterpipes, and 9.5% reported having used a waterpipe in the past 30 days. Students who had used waterpipes in the past year were likely to hold the misperceptions that waterpipes are less harmful and less addictive than cigarettes. Social norms were also important; waterpipe users were more likely to believe waterpipe use is socially acceptable and popular. Interestingly, over one third of students who had tried waterpipes had never smoked cigarettes. In light of this finding, the researchers express concern that hookahs are reaching an audience that would normally turn down cigarettes, putting these waterpipe experimenters at a potentially increased risk for developing a nicotine addiction. Click here for more details on the study, which is available online in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine. Click here to access the research paper.

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Reports

Big Tobacco's grip on colleges and students loosens, but still holding strong: New report examines trends on campuses
A report from the American Lung Association indicates that college smoking rates are at an all-time low, but 19.2% of college students are still smokers. Tobacco industry marketing still has a strong influence on smoking. In 2005, tobacco companies spent over $1 million a day on promotions and sponsorships targeting college students. Because college students often make a fluid transition from occasional smoking to becoming regular smokers, and because many students perceive smoking as common among their peers, the report calls upon university administrators to implement policies to protect students from the reach of the tobacco industry. The report challenges universities to join the Smokefree Air 2010 Challenge to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in public places by 2010. This resource also includes case studies on model smoke-free schools and recommendations on campus tobacco prevention measures. For more information, click here. To download a PDF of the full American Lung Association report, entitled Big Tobacco on Campus:  Ending the Addiction, click here.

Underage smoking drops  (VA)
The Youth Tobacco Survey showed a dramatic 28.6% decline in Virginia’s youth smoking rate from 2005 to 2007. The state’s youth smoking prevalence decreased from 21.7% in 2005 to 15.5% in 2007. The state is currently spending $14.5 million a year on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, but this figure is far lower than the CDC’s funding recommendation of $103.2 million for the state. Because Virginia’s state cigarette tax is among the lowest in the nation, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids recommends the state continue its progress in prevention by raising the cigarette tax and enacting smokefree legislation, two tobacco prevention strategies that have been proven effective. Click here to read more about Virginia’s progress in reducing youth smoking rates. Click here to read a related Campaign for TobaccoFree Kids press release.

Smoking banned entirely at colleges (PA)
To comply with the state’s new smokefree law, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) recently announced that all 14 state-owned universities will be smoke-free. Students, employees, and visitors to the schools will be prohibited from smoking anywhere on campus, both inside buildings and outdoors. According to a state system spokesperson, officials decided that since the state law extends to educational facilities and because classes and events are held both indoors and outdoors, smoking should be banned in all areas of campuses. Students are questioning the enforceability of the law, and are criticizing university officials who informed students of the new rules by email on September 10, only one day before the state smoking ban went into effect. For now, universities are focusing on educating students and staff about the new rules, rather than enforcement. Click here to read more, or click here for additional information.

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