Youth Prevention

Research

Young people tuning in to YouTube for little cigar promotions
Recent research conducted by Legacy reports that little cigars and cigarillos (LCCs) are being promoted to youth on the internet via websites such as YouTube. LCCs are similar to cigarettes, but they come in candy flavors and at lower prices, two features that are appealing to young people. The study used surveillance data on LCC-related videos on YouTube by using seven common LCC search terms to examine the most viewed and relevant videos. The majority of videos, 77%, promoted the use of LCCs, and the major themes that were found regarding LCCs were where to purchase them, the various candy flavor options, the “smoothness” of LCCs, and their low prices compared to cigarettes. The audience that viewed these videos the most was male youth in the United States and Canada. Additionally, some participants in the study received free products and direct links to the manufacturers’ websites. LCC smoking rates have increased over the past ten years, and the products are widely used by young adults. The public needs to be educated on the negative health risks of smoking LCCs, and particular attention is needed in preventing youth from using these products. Click here to read more about this study published in Tobacco Control. Click here to read the study abstract.

Kids who smoke menthol more likely to get hooked
A new study suggests that kids who try menthol cigarettes first are more likely to form a smoking habit compared to kids who experiment with non-menthol cigarettes. Over 47,000 U.S. middle and high school students were surveyed on their smoking habits over a period of three years. Students who experimented with menthol cigarettes were 80% more likely to become habitual smokers compared to students who experimented with regular cigarettes. Menthol cigarettes have a minty flavor, which makes cigarettes more palatable and attractive to new smokers, especially youth. The findings from this study suggest that menthol cigarettes are more appealing to youth, and are associated with increased regular tobacco use; however, due to the study design, a causal relationship cannot be confirmed. Click here to read more about this study published in Addiction. Click here to read the study abstract.

Cigar, cigarillo, and little cigar use among current cigarette-smoking adolescents
Use of cigars, cigarillos, and little cigars (CCLC) among adolescents was assessed in a recent study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research. A longitudinal study was conducted among 486 adolescents who smoked a cigarette in the past month to identify the smoking pattern differences between CCLC users (defined as those that had ever used CCLC and used them in the past month), and non CCLC users (never used CCLC). The majority (76.7%) of the participants reported ever trying CCLC, with less than half (40.7%) having used CCLC in the past thirty days. Male gender, other tobacco product use (particularly hookah), substance use, and mental health differences were linked to CCLC use. The data show that CCLC use is associated with adolescent cigarette smoking, which is related to a number of negative health outcomes. Click here to read the study abstract.

top

Reports

Teen smoking has fallen across most of U.S.: Report
According to a new report released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), rates of adolescent cigarette use have significantly decreased. This report assessed cigarette use among U.S. adolescents ages 12 to 17 between 2002 and 2010. Overall adolescent cigarette use decreased from 12.6% to 8.7%; however, there were large differences in smoking prevalence among states. The state with the highest prevalence of cigarette use was Wyoming (13.5%), and the lowest reported state was Utah (5.9%), based on the combined 2009-2010 data. Perceived risk of harm from smoking more than one pack per day increased slightly from 63.7% to 65.4% among all the adolescents that participated in this study. While smoking rates among adolescents have decreased, the report states that one in ten adolescents had smoked cigarettes in the past month. Continued efforts in educating youth about the risks of tobacco use as well as the promotion of smoking cessation programs are still needed in order to protect youth from the harmful effects of tobacco use. Click here to read more. Click here to access the full report.

Uncle Sam to start tracking tobacco use in movies aimed at kids
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that national surveillance systems will begin monitoring youths’ exposure to depictions of smoking and other tobacco use in youth-rated movies. Studies on youth tobacco use have been focused on their motivations to smoke, and data have shown that kids who see cigarette use on television and in movies are more likely to start smoking themselves; however, until now, there has been a lack of consistent, nationwide monitoring of tobacco use in youth-rated movies. The data on tobacco use in movies will be added to existing routine reports released to the public on smoking prevalence among youth and adults, total and per-capita cigarette consumption, and progress on tobacco control policies. This is seen as a step in monitoring how smoking and tobacco use in movies are associated with tobacco use and initiation among young people. Click here to read more.

top

Back to Table of Contents