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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2009.10.013 Byline: Rovshan M. Ismailov (a), Scott T. Leatherdale (a)(b)(c) Keywords: Former smokers; Nicotine replacement therapy; Pharmaceutical aid Abstract: There is a need to better understand the prevalence of use of pharmaceutical aids among former smokers, and explore concerns that those former smokers may have had about using such products. This paper examines the use of various cessation aids and strategies as well as reasons for not using cessation aids among a nationally representative sample of former smokers from Canada. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Population Studies and Surveillance, Cancer Care Ontario, Canada (b) Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Canada (c) Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.09.011 Byline: Scott T. Leatherdale Keywords: Smoking/tobacco use; Cessation; School-based; Youth/adolescent; Prevention Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine characteristics that predict interest in school-based cessation programs among 3136 youth smokers with intentions to quit smoking. The majority of youth smokers report that they would not join a school-based smoking cessation program. However, improving awareness of these types of programs among students is important as sub-populations of youth smokers were more likely to be interested in school-based cessation initiatives when aware that such programs exist. Future school-based cessation intervention outcomes might be improved if programs are targeted to the youth that are most likely to use them, if more youth can be made aware of existing programs, and if the benefits of participating in such programs can be more adequately conveyed to youth smokers. Author Affiliation: Division of Preventive Oncology, Cancer Care Ontario, 620 University Avenue, Toronto ON, Canada M5G 2L7 Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Canada Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.10.003 Byline: Scott T. Leatherdale (a)(b)(c), Steve Manske (b)(d), Christina Kroeker (b) Keywords: Smoking behaviour; Youth/adolescence; Peer influences; School environment; Multi-level/hierarchical; Sex/gender differences Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine sex differences in how the smoking behaviour of close friends and older peers at school influence smoking onset and progression among 10,843 grade 9, 10 and 11 students from 29 secondary schools in Ontario, Canada. In lower-risk student populations (i.e., students with no smoking friends or one smoking friend), males and females were both at a similar level of risk for occasional smoking as a function of the smoking rate of older students at their school. Among higher-risk student populations (i.e., students with three or more close friends who smoke), the smoking rate of older students at school did not influence the risk of occasional smoking. The odds of a female student being a regular smoker increased as the prevalence of smoking among older students at her school increased regardless of her close friends' smoking behaviour. However, among male students, the influence of older student smoking at school on the odds of regular smoking was moderated by the number of close friends who smoke. It appears that the prevalence of older student smoking at a school is more influential among younger female students, whereas the smoking behaviour of close friends appears to be more influential among younger male students. This new finding provides unique insight for tailoring and targeting future school-based smoking prevention initiatives. Author Affiliation: (a) Division of Preventive Oncology, Cancer Care Ontario, Canada (b) Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Canada (c) Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada (d) Centre for Behavioural Research and Program Evaluation for the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Cancer Society, Canada

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.02.004 Byline: Scott T. Leatherdale (a)(b), Paul W. McDonald (b)(c) Keywords: Cessation; Youth; Intervention Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of youth smokers toward nine common smoking cessation approaches. Attitudes were examined among 3660 youth smokers who intended to quit smoking. The majority of youth smokers report that they would never use the smoking cessation approaches that are commonly recommended for youth populations. The approaches that were appealing to youth are quitting on their own and using the advice of friends. Future initiatives need to more effectively communicate to youth the benefits of existing cessation approaches, make existing interventions more appealing, or develop new approaches that address youth needs. Author Affiliation: (a) Division of Preventive Oncology, Cancer Care Ontario, 620 University Avenue, Toronto ON, Canada M5G 2L7 (b) Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Canada (c) Health Behaviour Research Group, University of Waterloo, Canada

Introduction: Harmful effects of cannabis use in youth scale with frequency. In the context of approaching legalization in Canada, understanding the distinctions between youth who change and who maintain their cannabis use is essential for designing interventions and policy. A substantial number of characteristics may play a role. This study assessed whether and how youth who change their cannabis use differ from those who do not.Methods: Cannabis use was reported by 8375 Canadian high school students participating in the COMPASS study. GEE multiple logistic regressions were then used to establish impact of 13 baseline demographic and behavioural exposure variables on the likelihood of membership in four frequency change groups at follow-up a year later: reduction, cessation, escalation, and maintenance.Results: Groups were found to differ in several ways. Cessation group members (19.4% of users) were less likely to binge drink (OR 0.82), vape (OR 0.82), or attend class without completing homework (OR 0.72) than maintainers. Students who reduced their use (14.6% of users) were more likely to binge drink (OR 1.36), smoke (OR 1.20), and skip class (OR 1.21). Those who escalated (29.5% of users) were more likely to be male (OR 1.35) and to vape (OR 1.22).Conclusions: Students who change their cannabis use differ in several demographic and behavioural characteristics. The results raise further concerns about the impact of e-cigarettes and the role of poly-substance use in high-risk trajectories. Distinct classes of cannabis users, essential for policy and intervention development, can be identified in high school populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]