TY - JOUR
T1 - A period of increased susceptibility to cigarette smoking among high school students
AU - Filice, Gregory A
AU - Hannan, Peter J
AU - Lando, Harry A
AU - Joseph, Anne M
PY - 2003/9
Y1 - 2003/9
N2 - Cross-sectional surveys of randomly selected high school students were conducted in October 1999 and in May 2000 to measure awareness of youth-led tobacco prevention efforts. A secondary goal of the surveys was to learn about tobacco use and attitudes. Respondents who never smoked cigarettes were asked if they had made a firm commitment to not smoke, and respondents who had not made such a commitment were considered susceptible. Among ninth graders, susceptibility increased from 31% in October to 47% in May, while susceptibility decreased from October to May for students in more advanced grades (p = 0.03, interaction of linear trends). Susceptibility was more common among students who felt smoking produced social benefits (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.22-2.08) or who were tolerant of tobacco company behavior (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23-2.21), and less common among students who felt short-term adverse effects of cigarette smoking on health or hygiene were important to them (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.97). Further studies should confirm the increase in susceptibility and its underlying mechanisms. Whether associated with ninth grade or with the first year in a new school, this previously unrecognized period of heightened susceptibility might represent an important opportunity for prevention.
AB - Cross-sectional surveys of randomly selected high school students were conducted in October 1999 and in May 2000 to measure awareness of youth-led tobacco prevention efforts. A secondary goal of the surveys was to learn about tobacco use and attitudes. Respondents who never smoked cigarettes were asked if they had made a firm commitment to not smoke, and respondents who had not made such a commitment were considered susceptible. Among ninth graders, susceptibility increased from 31% in October to 47% in May, while susceptibility decreased from October to May for students in more advanced grades (p = 0.03, interaction of linear trends). Susceptibility was more common among students who felt smoking produced social benefits (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.22-2.08) or who were tolerant of tobacco company behavior (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.23-2.21), and less common among students who felt short-term adverse effects of cigarette smoking on health or hygiene were important to them (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.97). Further studies should confirm the increase in susceptibility and its underlying mechanisms. Whether associated with ninth grade or with the first year in a new school, this previously unrecognized period of heightened susceptibility might represent an important opportunity for prevention.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2003.tb06578.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2003.tb06578.x
M3 - Review article
C2 - 14513631
AN - SCOPUS:0642340197
SN - 0022-4391
VL - 73
SP - 272
EP - 278
JO - Journal of School Health
JF - Journal of School Health
IS - 7
ER -