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The impact of school smoking policies and student perceptions of enforcement on school smoking prevalence and location of smoking.

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively assess the impact of school tobacco policy intention, implementation and students' perceptions of policy enforcement on smoking rates and location of tobacco use during the school day. Data were obtained from all students in Grades 10-11 (n = 22,318) in 81 randomly selected schools from five Canadian provinces. Policy intention was assessed by coding written school tobacco policies. School administrators most familiar with the tobacco policy completed a survey to assess policy implementation. Results revealed policy intention and implementation subscales did not significantly predict school smoking prevalence but resulted in moderate prediction of tobacco use on school property (R(2) = 0.21-0.27). Students' perceptions of policy enforcement significantly predicted school smoking prevalence (R(2) = 0.36) and location of tobacco use (R(2) = 0.23-0.63). The research findings emphasize: (i) the need to consider both written policy intention and actual policy implementation and (ii) the existence of a policy is not effective in controlling tobacco use unless the policy is implemented and is perceived to be strongly enforced.

Adolescent↗

Response of rat lung to inhaled vapour phase constituents (VP) of tobacco smoke alone or in conjunction with smoke condensate or fractions of smoke condensate given by intratracheal instillation.

In a controlled experiment, 6 groups of SPF rats were given cigarette smoke condensate (SWS) in solid form without a vehicle once fortnightly by intratracheal instillation, at 3 dose levels with or without additional exposure to the vapour phase of smoke (VP) from 10 plain cigarettes each week. Treatment continued for life. Six other groups were similarly treated with one of 3 fractions of condensate with or without VP. Exposure to VP was associated with a significant reduction in body weight, but not signficantly with the incidence or severity of any observed pathological change in the lungs. A significant dose-related assoication was seen between SWS or its fractions and the incidence and degree of chronic respiratory disease (CRD), cuboidal or columnar metaplasia (CCM) and squamous metaplasia of alveolar epithelium (Sq.M) produced. No neoplasms, however, were elicited. A significant correlation was found between the degrees of CCM and of Sq.M produced in the 24 groups exposed to SWS or fractions. The results are discussed in the light of studies in which rats were exposed to tobacco smoke by inhalation and of studies in which the same condensate and fractions were applied to mouse skin.

Animals↗

Investigations of cigarette smoke dosages in inhalation experiments with Syrian hamsters. II. Uptake of cigarette smoke by the animals; comparisons of the influence of the gas phase and the whole smoke of different cigarettes.

An increased CO2 content (CO2 enrichment) in the smoke-air mixture was measured in an inhalation chamber containing Syrian hamsters. Since these additional CO2 concentrations originated from the animals' expiratory air, the level of CO2 (CO2 enrichment) was considered a function of the respiratory capacity. Results obtained with this method of characterizing the respiratory behavior of hamsters in inhalation experiments led us to conclude that the vapor phase of cigarettes reduced respiration up to 45% and the whole smoke, up to 60%. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the composition of the vapor phase and particulate phase as offered in animal inhalation experiments for comparing different cigarettes did not induce measurable differences in the respiratory behavior. Therefore, such inhalation experiments were found to be suitable for comparing the relative effects of different cigarette types. Estimations on the inhaled amounts of TPM led to results that were similar to those obtained in experiments with radioactively labeled smoke.

Animals↗

Freedom from smoking: integrating hypnotic methods and rapid smoking to facilitate smoking cessation.

Hypnotic intervention can be integrated with a Rapid Smoking treatment protocol for smoking cessation. Reported here is a demonstration of such an integrated approach, including a detailed description of treatment rationale and procedures for such a short-term intervention. Of 43 consecutive patients undergoing this treatment protocol, 39 reported remaining abstinent at follow-up (6 months to 3 years posttreatment).

Adult↗

Cotinine concentrations in amniotic fluid and urine of smoking, passive smoking and non-smoking pregnant women at term and in the urine of their neonates on 1st day of life.

Cotinine was measured in the amniotic fluid and urine of 31 pregnant women and in the urine of their offspring. Amniotic fluid cotinine was 8 times higher in active and 2.5 times higher in passive smokers than in non-smokers. In general, amniotic fluid cotinine was considerably higher than urinary cotinine both in active and in passive smokers. Estimation of cotinine both in amniotic fluid immediately before delivery and in urine of the newborn on the 1st day of life aids in assessing the degree of prenatal exposure to tobacco smoke.

Amniotic Fluid↗

[Smoking reduction and temporary abstinence: new approaches for smoking cessation].

Tobacco use causes enormous morbidity and mortality because of the high risk of smoking-related diseases and the high prevalence of cigarette smoking. Existing smoking cessation methods only help motivated smokers who are ready to quit, but the vast majority of smokers are pre-contemplators who are neither ready nor willing to attempt to quit. This means that a high proportion of smokers are not adequately served by current strategies for treating tobacco dependence. As cigarettes prematurely kill 50% of long-term users, any additional measure that may reduce death or illness should be given serious consideration. Many addicted smokers are now forced to live and work much of their life in environments in which smoking is prohibited. Most smokers are dependent on nicotine and abstinence from smoking results in tobacco withdrawal and craving, which manifest as clinical symptoms within a few hours of smoking the last cigarette. Craving and withdrawal symptoms can be controlled by supplying nicotine from sources other than cigarettes, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). Clinical studies of short-term abstinence show that all NRT formulations relieve tobacco withdrawal symptoms and craving. Most unaided attempts to decrease health risks by reducing smoking fail because smokers revert to their 'usual' nicotine intake. However, using NRT to reduce smoking allows smokers to reduce their cigarette consumption (and intake of toxic substances in smoke) while maintaining their nicotine dose. Data suggest that smokers who use NRT can significantly reduce the withdrawal symptoms and craving caused by abstaining from cigarettes, and thereby reduce the number of cigarettes/day and maintain these reductions for up to 2 years. The data also indicate that, despite some compensatory smoking behaviour, reduced smoking with NRT results in decreased toxin exposure. In smoking reduction studies, this translated into an improvement in variables that impact on health: cardiovascular risk factors and haemorheology parameters moved towards more healthy (i.e. non-smoker) levels, and pulmonary function improved. The improvements in established cardiovascular risk factors provide objective proof that exposure reduction translates into clinically meaningful health benefits. Furthermore, the known reversibility of many smoking-induced diseases, the mainly linear dose-effect curve and the absence of any indication of threshold effects suggest that additional health benefits may result from smoking reduction. Even more importantly, smoking reduction may move smokers along the behavioural model towards the ultimate goal--stopping smoking. In all three large smoking reduction studies, a number of subjects who were unwilling or unable to stop smoking at baseline were abstinent at 4 months and 1 and 2 years, which clearly supports the concept of smoking reduction as a step towards abstinence. Rather than undermining cessation, smoking reduction appears to increase motivation to quit. The importance of allowing smokers to gradually take control of their smoking was reflected by the increasing point prevalence abstinence rates seen in the long-term studies. When encouraging smoking reduction, it should clearly be emphasised that complete cessation remains the ultimate goal, but smokers in the precontemplation stage need to progress along the behavioural model before becoming receptive to messages about quitting. In conclusion, the evidence presented in this review supports reduced smoking as a legitimate treatment approach that could be pursued by those smokers who are currently unable or unwilling to quit. Sustained smoking reduction can be achieved and maintained with NRT. The corresponding reduction in exposure is associated with tangible health benefits, measured using surrogate markers. Smoking reduction also promotes abstinence in smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking abruptly. NRT is well tolerated for smoking reduction, and nicotine intake does not increase during concomitant use of NRT and smoking.

Humans↗

Influence of known psychosocial smoking risk factors on Egyptian adolescents' cigarette smoking behavior.

The morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking is shifting from the developed world to developing countries, especially developing Arab countries. One such country is Egypt, which has the highest rate of tobacco consumption in the Arab world. To curb the rising smoking epidemic in Egypt, appropriate adolescent smoking prevention programs need to be developed. Most of the effective adolescent smoking prevention programs are based on the social influence approach, which targets the proximal psychosocial variables believed to promote adolescent smoking. However, most of our understanding of adolescents' psychosocial smoking risk factors is based mainly on Western studies. Whether these factors have the same influence on Egyptian adolescents' smoking behavior has not been investigated to date. An understanding of the psychosocial correlates of smoking behavior among Egyptian adolescents may help in designing the appropriate smoking prevention program aimed at this population. This study reports the results of a cross-sectional survey administered to a random sample of 1930 students in grades 7, 9 and 12 in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, in May 2003. Adolescent smoking behavior was positively associated with positive beliefs about smoking, sibling, parent and peer smoking, and social smoking norms, with sibling smoking and perceived adult smoking norms having a stronger influence on adolescents' smoking behavior than peer smoking and perceived peer smoking norms. Refusal self-efficacy was protective against smoking behavior, while knowledge of the short-term negative consequences of smoking was protective against susceptibility to future smoking among females only. The results suggest that adolescents from collective cultures, like Egypt, are more influenced by their family's smoking behavior and perceived adult smoking norms than their peers' smoking behavior and perceived peer smoking norms. Smoking prevention programs aimed at Egyptian adolescents should be accompanied by smoking cessation programs for the family and adult community members.

Adolescent↗

Environmental tobacco smoke in Finnish restaurants and bars before and after smoking restrictions were introduced.

OBJECTIVES: The Finnish Tobacco Act was amended on 1 March 2000 to include restrictions on smoking in restaurants and bars. To evaluate the effectiveness of the restrictions, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) concentrations in restaurants and bars were measured prior and after the amended Act entered into force. The Act was enforced in stages so that all stages were effective on 1 July 2003. According to the Act, smoking is prohibited in all Finnish restaurants and bars with certain exceptions. Smoking may be allowed in establishments where the service area is not larger than 50 m(2) if the exposure of employees working there to ETS can be prevented. On premises with larger service area, smoking may be allowed on 50% of the service area, provided tobacco smoke does not spread into the area where smoking is prohibited. At bar counters or gambling tables smoking is not allowed, if the spreading of tobacco smoke cannot be restricted to the employee side of the counter. Therefore, according to the Act all areas where smoking is prohibited are to be smoke-free. METHODS: Establishments with a serving area larger than 100 m(2) were selected for the present study. The evaluation both before and after the enforcement of the Act included the following: The ventilation rate was first measured in each establishment. Then 3-5 area samplers, depending on the layout, were placed in locations that best described the establishment and the working areas of the personnel. The measurements were performed twice at each establishment, during peak hours. The sample collection time was 4 h during which the guests and the cigarettes smoked were counted. The air samples were analysed for nicotine, 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP) and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) by thermodesorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Altogether 20 restaurants and bars situated in three Finnish cities participated in the study out of which 16 participated during all four measurement periods. None of the establishments had introduced a total ban on smoking and they all had reserved only the smallest area allowed by the Finnish Tobacco Act as the smoke-free area. The measured geometric mean (GM) nicotine concentration in all participating establishments was 7.1 microg m(-3) before the amended act was in force and 7.3 microg m(-3) after all stages of the Act had been enforced. The GM concentration of nicotine in food and dining restaurants was 0.7 microg m(-3) before and 0.6 microg m(-3) after the enforcement of the Act, in bars and taverns the concentrations were 10.6 and 12.7 microg m(-3), and in discos and night-clubs 15.2 and 8.1 microg m(-3), respectively. The GM nicotine concentrations measured in the smoke-free sections varied between 2.9 and 3 microg m(-3). 3-EP concentrations measured correlated well with the nicotine concentrations and were approximately one-fifth of the nicotine concentrations. The measurements showed higher TVOC values in the smoking sections than in the smoke-free sections, but because there are many other sources of TVOC compounds in restaurants and bars TVOC cannot be regarded as a marker for ETS. CONCLUSIONS: The overall air nicotine concentration decreased in 10 out of the 18 establishments that participated in the study both before and after all stages of the amended Act had been in force. Structural changes or changes to the ventilation systems had been carried out in nine of these establishments, i.e. the smoke-free sections were actually non-smoking and were mainly separated from other sections by signs and very little was done to keep the smoke from spreading into the smoke-free sections. In four establishments, the highest air nicotine concentration was measured in the smoke-free section. In 10 establishments, the air nicotine concentration at bar counters had dropped after the Act. Exposure of the workers and the public to ETS was, therefore, not reduced as intended by the Finnish legislature. Thus, it seems obvious from the present study that improving ventilation will not be a solution to restricting tobacco smoke from reaching smoke-free areas and physical barriers separating smoking from smoke-free areas are required.

Finland↗

Prospective prediction of children's smoking transitions: role of parents' and older siblings' smoking.

AIMS: To use a novel social epidemic probability model to investigate longitudinally the extent to which parents' and older siblings' smoking predict children's smoking transitions. DESIGN: Parents' and older siblings' smoking status was assessed when children were in 3rd grade (baseline). Three smoking transitions were assessed over the period of child/adolescent smoking acquisition (up to 12th grade): (1) transition from never smoking to trying smoking, (2) transition from trying to monthly smoking and (3) transition from monthly to daily smoking. SETTING: Forty Washington State school districts participating in the long term Hutchinson Smoking Prevention Project (HSPP). PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Participants were the 5520 families for whom data on both parents' and older siblings' baseline smoking status, as well as on children's smoking transitions, were available. FINDINGS: The probability that a smoking parent influenced their child to make the first transition to trying smoking was 32% (95% CI: 27%, 36%); to make the second transition from trying to monthly smoking, 15% (95% CI: 10%, 19%); and to make the third transition from monthly to daily smoking, 28% (95% CI: 21%, 34%). The probability that an older sibling influenced a child to make the first transition to trying smoking was 29% (95% CI: 17%, 39%); to make the second transition from trying to monthly smoking, 0% (95% CI: 0%, 8%); and to make the third transition from monthly to daily smoking, 20% (95% CI: 4%, 33%). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previous research, the results provide new evidence suggesting that family smoking influences both initiation and escalation of children's smoking. Results also quantify, in terms of probabilities, the importance of parents' and older siblings' smoking on children's three major smoking transitions. Parents' smoking, as well as older siblings' smoking, are important behaviors to target in preventing adolescents from making smoking transitions.

Adolescent↗

Long-term smoking intervention at the worksite: effects of quit-smoking groups and an "enriched milieu" on smoking cessation in adult white-collar employees.

Maximizing the potential of worksites for smoking intervention remains elusive. We hypothesized that long-term effectiveness of group intervention would be enhanced when offered within an "enriched milieu" (full program) compared with relative isolation (group only). The data failed to support the hypothesis. Although sustained abstinence rates were higher at full-program sites (50%) than at group-only sites (44%), the difference did not achieve statistical significance. Initial (35% vs. 47%) and 12-month (18% vs. 22%) quit rates at full-program and group-only sites also failed to demonstrate the "benefit" of the "enriched milieu."

Adult↗

Nine-year prospective association between older siblings' smoking and children's daily smoking.

PURPOSE: To explore the hypothesis that older siblings' smoking, after controlling for parents' smoking, influences children's smoking. METHODS: Study participants were 2981 students in the control cohort of a school-based smoking prevention randomized trial for whom parents' smoking and older siblings' smoking data were collected at 3rd grade and daily smoking data was assessed 9 years later through a self-report questionnaire at the 12th grade. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression and likelihood ratio tests. RESULTS: For families in which no parent smoked, the 12th grade prevalence of daily smoking was 31% when at least one older sibling smoked compared to 18% when no older sibling smoked. For families in which at least one parent smoked, the 12th grade prevalence of daily smoking was 41% when at least one older sibling smoked compared to 29% when no older sibling smoked. There was a substantial increase in the odds (OR = 1.60, p =.004) of children's daily smoking at 12th grade when their older siblings smoked, even after adjusting for parents' smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Older siblings' smoking is associated with increased risk of children's smoking after adjusting for parents smoking. Furthermore, there was no evidence to suggest that the influence of older siblings' smoking was different in families where no parent smoked compared to those where at least one parent smoked. Also, there was no evidence that the influence of older siblings' smoking was different in boys vs. girls.

Adolescent↗

School smoking policies and smoking prevalence among adolescents: multilevel analysis of cross-sectional data from Wales.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between school smoking policies and smoking prevalence among pupils. DESIGN: Multilevel analysis of cross-sectional data from surveys of schools and pupils. SETTING: 55 secondary schools in Wales. SUBJECTS: 55 teachers and 1375 pupils in year 11 (aged 15-16). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported smoking behaviour. RESULTS: The prevalence of daily smoking in schools with a written policy on smoking for pupils, teachers, and other adults, with no pupils or teachers allowed to smoke anywhere on the school premises, was 9.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.1% to 12.9%). In schools with no policy on pupils' or teachers' smoking, 30.1% (95% CI 23.6% to 36.6%) of pupils reported daily smoking. In schools with an intermediate level of smoking policy, 21.0% (95% CI 17.8% to 24.2%) smoked every day. School smoking policy was associated with school level variation in daily smoking (p = 0.002). In multilevel analysis, after adjusting for pupils' sex, parents' and best friends' smoking status, parental expectations, and alienation from school, there was less unexplained school level variation, but school smoking policy remained significant (p = 0.041). The association of smoking policy with weekly smoking was weaker than for daily smoking, and not significant after adjustment for pupil level variables. Both daily and weekly smoking prevalence were lower in schools where pupils' smoking restrictions were always enforced. Enforcement of teacher smoking restrictions was not significantly associated with pupils' smoking. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an association between policy strength, policy enforcement, and the prevalence of smoking among pupils, after having adjusted for pupil level characteristics. These findings suggest that the wider introduction of comprehensive school smoking policies may help reduce teenage smoking.

Adolescent↗

Exposure to teachers smoking and adolescent smoking behaviour: analysis of cross sectional data from Denmark.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adolescent smoking behaviour is associated with their perceived exposure to teachers or other pupils smoking at school, after adjustment for exposure to smoking at home, in school, and best friends smoking. DESIGN: Logistic regression analysis of cross sectional data from students in Denmark. SUBJECTS: 1515 grade 9 students (mean age 15.8) from 90 classes in 48 Danish schools. OUTCOME MEASURE: Self reported smoking behaviour; daily smoking and heavy smoking, defined as those smoking more than 20 cigarettes per week. RESULTS: Of the students in this study, 62% of boys and 60% of girls reported being exposed to teachers smoking outdoors on the school premises. The proportion of boys and girls reporting to have been exposed to teachers smoking inside the school building were 86% and 88%, respectively. Furthermore, 91% of boys and 92% of girls reported that they had seen other students smoking outdoors on the school premises. Adolescents' perceived exposure to teachers smoking outdoors on the school premises was significantly associated with daily smoking, having adjusted for sex, exposure to teachers smoking indoors at school and pupils smoking outdoors at school, as well as the smoking behaviour of mother, father, and best friend (odds ratio (OR) 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 2.8). Adolescents' perceived exposure to teachers smoking inside the school building was not associated with daily smoking (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.5 to 1.6) and perceived exposure to pupils smoking outdoors was not associated with daily smoking (adjusted OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.5 to 4.4). There were similar findings with heavy smoking as the outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS: Teachers smoking during school hours is associated with adolescent smoking. This finding has implications for future tobacco prevention strategies in schools in many countries with liberal smoking policies where it might provide support for those working to establish smokefree schools.

Adolescent↗

Smoking by patients in a smoke-free hospital: prevalence, predictors, and implications.

BACKGROUND: No-smoking policies are now mandated in all U.S. hospitals. They require hospitalized smokers to abstain temporarily from tobacco. Little is known about patients' compliance with these policies or about their effects on patients' comfort and subsequent smoking behavior. Hospitalization in a smoke-free hospital might precipitate nicotine withdrawal in smokers, but it might also offer smokers an opportunity to stop smoking. METHODS: To assess the prevalence, predictors, and implications of smoking during hospitalization, we analyzed data from a cohort of 650 adult smokers who were admitted to an urban teaching hospital and participating in a smoking intervention trial. We measured nicotine withdrawal symptoms at study entry (24-48 h after admission) and patients' self-reports of smoking while hospitalized, compliance with the hospital no-smoking policy (smoking prohibited indoors but permitted outdoors), and smoking status 1 and 6 months after discharge. RESULTS: One-quarter of smokers admitted to a smoke-free hospital reported smoking during their hospital stay, although only 4% of smokers admitted violating policy by smoking indoors. Within 48 h of admission, 55% of smokers reported cigarette cravings and 29% of smokers reported difficulty refraining from smoking. Smokers with cigarette cravings were more likely to smoke while hospitalized (OR 3.6; 95% CI: 1.9-6.7). Those with nicotine withdrawal symptoms were more likely to violate the hospital no-smoking policy (OR 6.8; 95% CI: 5.3-8.3). Abstaining from tobacco use while hospitalized was a strong independent predictor of continued abstinence after discharge (OR 3.8; 95% CI: 1.4-10.3). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking by patients in a smoke-free hospital was common. Craving for cigarettes and symptoms consistent with nicotine withdrawal occurred frequently in hospitalized smokers and were associated with smoking during hospitalization, which was itself strongly linked with continuing to smoke after discharge. Pharmacologic treatment of cigarette cravings in hospitalized smokers could potentially improve patient comfort, increase compliance with hospital no-smoking policies, and promote smoking cessation after hospital discharge. This approach deserves further study.

Adolescent↗

Smoking in the movies increases adolescent smoking: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Despite voluntary restrictions prohibiting direct and indirect cigarette marketing to youth and paid product placement, tobacco use remains prevalent in movies. This article presents a systematic review of the evidence on the nature and effect of smoking in the movies on adolescents (and others). METHODOLOGY: We performed a comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: We identified 40 studies. Smoking in the movies decreased from 1950 to approximately 1990 and then increased rapidly. In 2002, smoking in movies was as common as it was in 1950. Movies rarely depict the negative health outcomes associated with smoking and contribute to increased perceptions of smoking prevalence and the benefits of smoking. Movie smoking is presented as adult behavior. Exposure to movie smoking makes viewers' attitudes and beliefs about smoking and smokers more favorable and has a dose-response relationship with adolescent smoking behavior. Parental restrictions on R-rated movies significantly reduces youth exposure to movie smoking and subsequent smoking uptake. Beginning in 2002, the total amount of smoking in movies was greater in youth-rated (G/PG/PG-13) films than adult-rated (R) films, significantly increasing adolescent exposure to movie smoking. Viewing antismoking advertisements before viewing movie smoking seems to blunt the stimulating effects of movie smoking on adolescent smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Strong empirical evidence indicates that smoking in movies increases adolescent smoking initiation. Amending the movie-rating system to rate movies containing smoking as "R" should reduce adolescent exposure to smoking and subsequent smoking.

Adolescent↗

Perceived smoking environment and smoking initiation among multi-ethnic urban girls.

PURPOSE: To examine associations between the perceived smoking environment and smoking initiation among urban multi-ethnic adolescent girls in New York City. METHODS: Self-report surveys completed in grades 7, 8, and 9 assessed girls' (n = 858) smoking initiation, and perceived smoking environment (family smoking, friends' smoking, smoking norms, and cigarette availability). Carbon monoxide breath samples were collected from girls using a variation of the bogus pipeline procedure. RESULTS: Differences were found in smoking prevalence with white girls reporting the highest prevalence of smoking at baseline and greatest increase in smoking prevalence from seventh to eighth grade. Black girls reported an initial increase in smoking prevalence from seventh to eighth grade followed by a decrease from eighth to ninth grade. Family smoking, friends' smoking, smoking norms, and cigarette availability were all associated with smoking initiation at eighth grade but only friends' smoking was associated with smoking initiation at ninth grade. Few ethnic differences were found in risk factors at baseline and racial/ethnic group did not modify associations between risk and smoking initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Urban adolescent girls of different racial/ethnic backgrounds had similar perceptions of the smoking environment. Despite the similarity of risk factors across racial/ethnic groups, urban white girls are at increased risk to initiate smoking. Preventive interventions that target girls' perceived smoking environment during early adolescence should be effective across ethnic groups.

Adolescent↗

Effect of viewing smoking in movies on adolescent smoking initiation: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to smoking in movies has been linked with adolescent smoking initiation in cross-sectional studies. We undertook a prospective study to ascertain whether exposure to smoking in movies predicts smoking initiation. METHOD: We assessed exposure to smoking shown in movies in 3547 adolescents, aged 10-14 years, who reported in a baseline survey that they had never tried smoking. Exposure to smoking in movies was estimated for individual respondents on the basis of the number of smoking occurrences viewed in unique samples of 50 movies, which were randomly selected from a larger sample pool of popular contemporary movies. We successfully re-contacted 2603 (73%) students 13-26 months later for a follow-up interview to determine whether they had initiated smoking. FINDINGS: Overall, 10% (n=259) of students initiated smoking during the follow-up period. In the highest quartile of exposure to movie smoking, 17% (107) of students had initiated smoking, compared with only 3% (22) in the lowest quartile. After controlling for baseline characteristics, adolescents in the highest quartile of exposure to movie smoking were 2.71 (95% CI 1.73-4.25) times more likely to initiate smoking compared with those in the lowest quartile. The effect of exposure to movie smoking was stronger in adolescents with non-smoking parents than in those whose parent smoked. In this cohort, 52.2% (30.0-67.3) of smoking initiation can be attributed to exposure to smoking in movies. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide strong evidence that viewing smoking in movies promotes smoking initiation among adolescents.

Adolescent↗