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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Stacey L. Stevens, PhD, Department of Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A&M University - School of Rural Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, 979-845-2387, stevens@srph.tamu.edu, Brian Colwell, PhD, Department of Social and Behavioral Health, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center - School of Rural Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, Dennis W. Smith, PhD, Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 104 Garrison, Houston, TX 77204-6015, and Catherine McMillan, PhD, University of New Orleans, 208 S. Scott St, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Studies identify numerous reasons why adolescents begin using tobacco, however, few studies identify whether there are seasonal variations in tobacco use initiation and amount of use. Sieminski, et al (2000) found that a majority of adolescents smoked more during the summer holidays than during the regular school year, but did not examine seasonal variations in initiation. Reasons for increased smoking during summer included more freedom, more spending money, friends, and boredom. This study examined data from youth participating in a statewide tobacco awareness and cessation program (n=826) in Texas. Males comprised 71% of the sample. Mean age of participants was 16 (sd=1.22). Data revealed significant differences in month of initiation, with almost 50% of adolescents initiating tobacco use during the four summer months of May to August (X2=48.10, 11 d.f.). There were no significant differences in number of cigarettes smoked per day (mean=11.35) by month. Results of this study provide evidence that the majority of tobacco use initiation occurs while adolescents are not in school, pointing to the need to provide tobacco use prevention messages and programs year-round with a more ecological approach. Schools alone cannot be depended on to prevent tobacco initiation among youth. Community-wide ecological support for tobacco control, including family control through supervision and limitation of access, is a necessity to reduce youth tobacco access, experimentation, and use. There is also a need to determine if reasons for initiation are similar to those given for increased smoking during the summer.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Tobacco
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.