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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Jessica L. Muilenburg, PhD, Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, 300 River Road, 311 Ramsey Center, Athens, GA 30602, 706-542-4965, jlm@uga.edu and William D. Johnson, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.

Home smoking restrictions have been shown to avert the onset of smoking, as well as alter smoking behaviors in both adolescent and adults. We investigated the prevalence and impact of bans on home smoking in a southern urban city. Of 856 students surveyed, ages ranged from 12 to 19 and were mostly African American (97.4%). Most reported “no one” was allowed to smoke in their home (52.3%), followed by “adults only” (38.2%), and “anyone”(9.5%). Adolescents living with fewer smoking restrictions were more likely to: have seen a parent smoke (p<0.001), have friends who smoke (p=0.003), have tried smoking (p<0.001), have been a daily smoker (p=0.001), accept a cigarette from a friend (p<0.001), be more susceptible to smoking in the next year (p<0.001) as well as 5 years from now (p<0.001), think it is safe to smoke for a year or two and quit (p=0.001), believe smokers have more friends (p=0.005), and think smoking is cool (p=0.004). Those who reported “no one “could smoke in their home were more likely to agree that “smoking is dangerous to my health” (p=0.001) and more likely to report both parents discussed the dangers of tobacco with them (p=0.006), as well as think smoking 1-5 cigarettes per day is bad (p=0.009) and that second hand smoking is harmful (p=0.01). This study suggests that, at least in African American youth, education efforts should be directed towards more restrictive home smoking policies to thwart the initiation of smoking in adolescents and the positive attitudes toward smoking behaviors.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Identify the relationship between home smoking environment and attitudes and behaviors of cigarette smoking
• 2. Recognize the importance of educating people about the influence of home smoking environments

Keywords: Smoking, African American

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation