Characteristics of adolescents caught with cigarettes at school: implications for developing smoking cessation programs

Ethnic and Gender differences in Strategies Used by Adolescents when Attempting to Quit or Reduce Smoking

Few adolescent smoking cessation programs have been able to match the success rate found in adult programs. The current study identified smoking cessation strategies used by adolescents and whether strategies differed as a function of ethnic, gender, or individual smoking-level. Participants were 136 high school students who made an attempt to quit or reduce their smoking. Logistic regressions revealed that individuals making an actual quit attempt and African American adolescents used cessation strategies presumed to be more effective. Adolescents are more likely to use informal cessation methods and may need to be provided with more information on effective quit strategies.

[Association between the consumption of tobacco and alcohol and physical exercise while at university]

OBJECTIVE

To find out the influence that going to University has on changing smoking and alcohol habits, and on physical exercise in students in the EU.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

SETTING

University of Murcia.

PARTICIPANTS

A sample of 1179 students was selected.

INTERVENTIONS

A self-filled and anonymous questionnaire was used. It consisted of 36 questions using 4 measurement scales: level of health information on cardiovascular risks (CVR), smoking, alcohol consumption and doing physical exercise.

RESULTS

A total of 39.2% of university students in their last academic year said they were smokers, compared to 36.4% in the first year (NS). A total of 81.6% of first year students had consumed alcohol at weekends, compared to 81.1% of those in their last year (NS). In the overall assessment of alcohol consumption, 13% "stopped drinking or drank less: and 10% "drank more", although the majority (55%), did not change their drinking habits. As regards physical exercise, the number of students who did more physical exercise was 21.2% in the first academic year, compared to 20% of students in their last year (NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Going to University does not seem to exercise a positive influence on the habits and lifestyles of young people. Measures should be taken to encourage healthy lifestyles in Universities.

Health risk behaviors in relation to making a smoking quit attempt among adolescents

The primary aim of this study was to examine youth risk behaviors in relation to: (a) making a smoking quit attempt, and (b) successful cessation among adolescent smokers. Data were analyzed from the public use dataset of the 2003 national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The sample consisted of 2,033 students (weighted mean age of 16.3 years, 49.8% female, 73.6% White) who reported a history of daily smoking. While almost two-thirds (63.5%) of adolescent smokers reported making a quit attempt in the last year, only 10% of those were able to successfully quit. Factors associated with making a quit attempt included depression and participating in sports while high-risk sexual activity and engaging in substance use other than alcohol or marijuana were negatively related to making a quit attempt. Externalizing health behaviors (e.g., fighting, drug use, and high risk sexual activity) were associated with decreased likelihood of cessation. Findings from this study may inform efforts to develop more effective smoking prevention and treatment programs for youth.

Nicotine dependence and withdrawal symptoms among occasional smokers

PURPOSE

This study describes the levels of nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, depressive mood, and risk behavior reported by male and female weekly and monthly adolescent smokers in South Africa.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 554 grade 9-11 weekly and monthly smokers in the Southern Cape-Karoo Region. Differences between the gender groups and smoking status were analyzed while controlling for demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

Weekly and monthly smokers were classified as light smokers having smoked 6-10 cigarettes and 0-1 cigarettes a week, respectively. However, they displayed substantial levels of dependence, with 11.6% of weekly smokers classified as highly dependent. Furthermore, 55.9% of weekly smokers and 47.1% of the overall sample experienced more than two withdrawal symptoms. Although dependency levels and withdrawal symptoms were higher among weekly smokers, the levels were not negligible among monthly smokers. Weekly smokers reported higher levels of depressive mood and risk behavior than monthly smokers. Females reported higher levels of dependence, withdrawal symptoms, depressive mood, and lower levels of risk behavior than males. Gender differences were not found on the number of cigarettes smoked in a week.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates multiple symptoms of dependence among a large sample of adolescent occasional smokers in a multi-ethnic cultural setting. Smoking cessation programs may, therefore, be required to help adolescents quit smoking and possibly consider pharmacotherapy for highly dependent smokers. Prevention programs should also consider providing occasional smokers skills to identify and cope with withdrawal symptoms.

[Tobacco dependency and adolescents: a good time to give up smoking? Relation to social and family factors]

OBJECTIVES

To find the prevalence and dependency of adolescents on tobacco, its relation with family and social factors and the motivation for giving up smoking.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, descriptive study using questionnaires.

SETTING

Secondary school, Jaén, Spain.

PARTICIPANTS AND MEASUREMENTS

A total of 232 students: the questionnaire included questions on age, sex, tobacco consumption, smoking habits of family and friends, and family structure. The following tests were given: the Apgar family (AFT), Fagerström (FT), and Richmond (RT) tests.

RESULTS

Mean age 14.1 years old (95% CI, 13.9-14.3; range, 5 years); 57% boys. A 22% (17.1%-24.5%) were smokers, most of whom were boys (65.2%-86.7%; P<.001, *2) and were older than non-smokers (0.7-1.5; P<.001, Student's t). Mean consumption was 9.2 cigarettes a day (7.4-11.0) over 32 months (14.6-49.5). Friends who smoked were more frequent among adolescents who smoked (80.9%-99%) than among non-smokers (57.3%-70.6%; P<.001, *2). Smoking every day increased consumption by 6 cigarettes a day (3.6-9.2; P<.001, Student's t). In 71% (65.3%-76.6%) of families, there were smokers, principally the parents (63.3%-74.6%), who, in 85% (74.2%-95.8%) of cases, disapproved of their son/daughter smoking. Family dysfunction was more frequent in smokers (30% mild [16.1%-43.9%] and 17% severe [5.4%-28.6%]; P<.001, *2). The FT was positive for 12% (2%-22%) and was associated with the consumption of cigarettes per day (r=0.78; P<.05, Pearson). The RT was positive for 22% (15.1%-28.9%): 70% in the contemplation stage (55.6%-84.3%); 17% in preparation (5.4%-28.6%); 13% in action (3%-23%).

CONCLUSIONS

The consumption of tobacco among adolescents is related to family function and having friends who smoke. The low dependency and the motivation to change make this stage of life a good moment to concentrate on anti-smoking counselling.

Risk factors and their effects on the dynamic process of smoking relapse among veteran smokers

Smoking cessation programs can help smokers make a successful attempt at quitting, but many initial quitters relapse over time. This study aims to identify risk factors for smoking relapse and examine the influence of these factors on the dynamic relapse process in an outpatient smoking cessation program for veterans. Baseline information included socio-demographic description, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, smoking history and behavior, nicotine dependence, smoking motives, and confidence in the ability to quit. The intervention involved a 4-session group therapy consisting of cognitive and pharmacological treatments. The 189 initial quitters by program completion were followed via a telephone interview 6 months later. We identified six risk factors associated with relapse within the first 6 months post quit. Furthermore, we described characteristics of the dynamic process of smoking relapse and studied the influence of the identified risk factors on the relapse curve. The effects of these risk factors can be categorized into two patterns. Annual income and age at smoking initiation showed a delayed action that influenced the relapse curve after several weeks post quit, whereas age, number of smoking coworkers, history of schizophrenia, and number of sessions attended modified the relapse process soon after quitting. The information will be useful in targeting veteran smokers who are at high risk for relapse, choosing the optimal time for post-cessation services, and developing strategies accordingly.

"Start to stop": results of a randomised controlled trial of a smoking cessation programme for teens

OBJECTIVE

To examine the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a school based smoking cessation programme among students caught smoking at school.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial comparing cessation rates among students in a behavioural cessation programme and those receiving self help materials only.

SETTING

Eighteen schools in the Memphis, Tennessee area.

SUBJECTS

Two hundred and sixty one adolescent cigarette smokers (166 male, 95 female) averaging 15.8 years of age.

INTERVENTION

Students assigned to the intervention received a four session behavioural treatment programme administered individually by a health educator. In addition, these students received stage matched intervention in brief phone calls monthly until the one year follow up.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Self reported and biochemically verified smoking cessation at post-test and 12 month follow up.

RESULTS

Recruiting students who were caught smoking at school proved to be highly successful. Participants rated the programme favourably, and retention rates were high. Although treated participants improved more in tobacco related knowledge relative to controls (p = 0.002), there were no group differences in changes in attitudes toward smoking. In addition, treated and control participants demonstrated no significant differences in cessation rates both at post-test and follow up. Comparisons between self reported cessation rates and those obtained under bogus pipeline conditions or with biochemical verification suggested significant falsification of cessation among participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results failed to demonstrate any significant effect of the cessation programme on smoking rates for treated adolescents compared with controls. Our findings also highlight the importance of utilising strong methodology in research on adolescent smoking cessation, including control groups and biochemical verification of smoking status.