Youth Prevention

Research

Relationships of adolescents' perceptions of parental and peer behaviors with cigarette and alcohol use in different neighborhood contexts
A study in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence explored the relationships of adolescents’ perceptions of parental and peer behavior and cigarette and alcohol use in six neighborhood types. The researchers found that adolescent smoking was associated with parental smoking in suburban white neighborhoods, while it was associated with peer smoking in rural neighborhoods. These findings demonstrate that parental and peer influences on smoking and drinking behaviors should be studied within the context of neighborhood type. Click here to read the abstract.

Genes may explain why churchgoers are teetotalers
Although previous studies indicate that churchgoers are less likely to drink and smoke than others, a new twin study suggests that genetics, not church attendance itself, may influence rates of drinking and smoking. The influence of environmental factors, such as parental and community expectations, on these behaviors appears to be important during adolescence, but wears off by adulthood. The findings show that genetics may have an influence over temperament and certain behaviors, but it is unclear how broadly applicable the results are. Click here to read a summary of the findings, or click here to read the abstract of the study, which appeared in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Increasing youths' exposure to a tobacco prevention media campaign in rural and low-population-density communities
A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health examined the effectiveness of a campaign to increase exposure to tobacco counter marketing messages among youth in rural and low-population-density communities. The longitudinal survey of over 2600 youths found that awareness of the “truth” campaigns in media markets receiving supplemental advertising increased from 40% to 71%, while awareness in comparison markets receiving less than the national average of “truth” messages remained stable. The researchers suggest that purchasing local media airtime may be an effective way to use limited tobacco control resources to target youth in rural and low-population-density areas. Click here to read the abstract of the research.

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Reports

ACHA Guidelines: Position statement on tobacco on college and university campuses
The American College Health Association (ACHA) has released a guide to assist colleges and universities in adopting tobacco-free campuses and other tobacco control policies, such as making dormitories smoke-free and refusing tobacco industry sponsorship, grants, and donations. The ACHA encourages the use of strict policies to achieve 100% tobacco free campuses and influence college students to remain or become tobacco-free. Click here to read the ACHA’s Position Statement on Tobacco on College and University Campuses.

The BACCHUS Network announces new Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Certification
The BACCHUS Network™ is currently accepting applications for a new Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Certification. This certification recognizes college and university campuses that have implemented strong tobacco policies, demonstrating excellence in their commitment to the health and safety of students, staff, faculty, and visitors. This award will provide campuses with recognition that can be helpful in recruiting students and community learners, as well as grant opportunities from prominent health-related organizations and agencies. BACCHUS will provide campuses with an award logo that can be displayed on websites and in printed materials. Applications are due by January 31, 2010. Click here to read the announcement from BACCHUS. For more information and an application, please visit: www.tobaccofreeU.org and click on the Certification for Tobacco-Free Campus Policy link.

Taxpayer subsidies for U.S. films with tobacco imagery
Although state subsidies for movie production attract Hollywood filming, the subsidies may also be undermining anti-smoking efforts, according to a study by the University of California Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education. The researchers surveyed 147 movies released in 2008, finding that two-thirds of U.S.-developed films aimed towards youth with tobacco imagery were filmed in states that offer subsidies to filmmakers. Collectively, these states awarded approximately $830 million in public subsidies to films depicting tobacco use while budgeting only $719 million for tobacco control. In more than half of the states, more money was earmarked for film subsidies than for tobacco control programs. The authors recommend that future public subsides be denied to films that use any tobacco imagery. Click here for a summary of the findings, or click here to read the report.

WI sees decrease in tobacco sales (WI)
The results of Wisconsin’s 2009 Synar tobacco sales compliance survey show a 20% drop in the number of retail outlets that are illegally selling tobacco to minors. The 2009 noncompliance rate of 5.7% meets federally established target rates of 20%, ensuring federal block grant funding for substance abuse prevention and treatment. Reduction of tobacco sales to youth has been aided by the Wisconsin Wins program, which investigates compliance, trains and educates retailers, and performs community outreach. Read more here.

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International

Cigarette packaging influences teens to buy and try (Australia)
Australian researchers have found that plain, boring, or unattractive cigarette packages make smoking less appealing to teens. Removing branding elements from cigarette packaging and increasing the size of health warnings were both found to decrease the appeal of smoking. Youths’ preconceptions about smoking are formed based on colors, logos, fonts, and images on cigarette packs, all of which play a role in increasing teens’ susceptibility to tobacco use. Click here to read a summary of the findings or here for the full article, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

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