Youth Prevention

Research

A comprehensive examination of the influence of state tobacco control programs and policies on youth smoking
A new study published in the American Journal of Public Health reports that smoke-free air laws and state tobacco control programs are effective in reducing smoking rates among youth. Data from the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health from 2002 to 2008 were used to examine how tobacco control policies such as smoke-free air laws, youth access law compliance, and cigarette price increases influence youth smoking outcomes. Youth smoking outcomes were measured by smoking susceptibility, past-year initiation, current smoking, and established smoking variables. The results of this study found that smoke-free air laws and state tobacco control programs were effective strategies for reducing youth smoking. When addressing smoking among youth, it is important to utilize the most effective strategies in reducing smoking rates in order to protect youth from the harmful health effects associated with smoking. Click here to read the study abstract.

Adolescent males' awareness of and willingness to try electronic cigarettes
According to a new study, most adolescent males were aware of e-cigarettes, and a substantial minority was willing to try them. Responses from a nationally representative sample of adolescent males between the ages of 11 and 19 (n=228) who completed an online survey were analyzed to determine their awareness of and willingness to try e-cigarettes. Among the study participants, less than 1% had previously tried e-cigarettes, and among those who had not tried them, the majority (67%) had heard of e-cigarettes. Close to one in five (18%) reported a willingness to try e-cigarettes in either plain or flavored form, and current smokers were more willing to try them compared to nonsmokers (74% vs. 13%). Experimentation with alternative tobacco products such as e-cigarettes may lead to nicotine dependence and use of other tobacco products. Therefore, the study concludes that regulatory and behavioral interventions are needed to prevent “gateway” use by adolescent nonsmokers. Click here to read the study abstract and full report published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Exploration of the link between tobacco retailers in school neighborhoods and student smoking (IL)
The density of tobacco retailers in neighborhoods where schools are located may impact smoking experimentation and /or initiation among students. Baseline data from the Youth Tobacco Access Project was compared to primary data collected from 10,662 students attending 21 middle and 19 high schools in Illinois during 2002. Data were also gathered from 512 tobacco retailers in Illinois for this study. The average number of tobacco retailers within the neighborhood of a school was 2.76 with an average rate of illegal tobacco sales of 13%. An association was also identified between the prevalence of students that had ever smoked and the density of tobacco retailers. This study suggests that a high density of tobacco retailers in school neighborhoods may impact student smoking behaviors, and future research needs to investigate this issue. Click here to read the study abstract published in the Journal of School Health.

Most teens support tough smoking bans: Survey (NC)
According to a new report, North Carolina teens support strict smoke-free air laws. Results from a survey conducted in 2009 by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program of 3,805 middle school students in the state reports that more than 80% of teens agreed that smoking should not be allowed at home, indoors at work, or in cars. Additionally, 78% of high school students (n=3,301) supported smoke-free air laws. High school students who were current smokers and those who wanted to quit were also supporters of smoke-free policies. North Carolina is a tobacco growing state, which can present challenges in promoting smoking prevention; however, increases to tobacco taxes and passing smoke-free laws have been successful in keeping the tobacco use prevalence low among youth in the state. Click here to read more about this study. Click here to access the study abstract published in Preventing Chronic Disease.

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Reports

Secretary of Health and Human Resources announces 10-year drop in smoking among Virginia high school students (VA)
A recent report finds that the smoking prevalence among high school students in Virginia has declined by more than 55%. The latest results of the biannual statewide Virginia Youth Tobacco Survey have been released, indicating that the percentage of high school students who report to be regular smokers decreased from 28.6% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. Additionally, the smoking prevalence among middle school students declined by 70% during the same timeframe. The current rate of smoking among high school students is lower than the national average among high school smokers at 18.1%. A press release from the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources commends the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth for their efforts in reducing the smoking rates among students in the state. Click here to read more about this study. Click here to access the Virginia Youth Tobacco Survey Report (2011).

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