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Objectives. We sought to determine whether adolescents living in households in which smoking was banned were more likely to develop antismoking attitudes and less likely to progress to smoking compared with those living in households in which smoking was not banned. Methods. We completed a longitudinal 4-year, 3-wave study of a representative sample of 3834 Massachusetts youths aged 12 to 17 years at baseline; 2791 (72.8%) were reinterviewed after 2 years, and 2217 (57.8%) were reinterviewed after 4 years. We used a 3-level hierarchical linear model to analyze the effect of a household ban on antismoking attitudes and smoking behaviors. Results. The absence of a household smoking ban increased the odds that youths perceived a high prevalence of adult smoking, among both youths living with a smoker (odds ratio [OR] = 1.56; 95% confidence interval [Cl] = 1.15, 2.13) and those living with nonsmokers (OR = 1.75; 95% CI = 1.29, 2.37). Among youths who lived with nonsmokers, those with no home ban were more likely to transition from nonsmoking to early experimentation (OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.30, 2.74) than were those with a ban. Conclusions. Home smoking bans may promote antismoking attitudes among youths and reduce progression to smoking experimentation among youths who live with nonsmokers. [Am J Public Health. 2008;98:1886-1893. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007, 129320) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We developed a simulation model to predict the effects of policies aimed at reducing smoking initiation by youths younger than 18 years. Methods. The model projected the number of smokers, never smokers, and ex-smokers by age, sex, and racial/ethnic group and the effects of reductions in youth initiation. Results. The model predicted that even if tobacco policies eliminated youth initiation, the number of smokers would not be halved for more than 30 years. If initiation were halved and some of the initiation were delayed rather than eliminated, substantially smaller reductions would result. Conclusions. Policies that increase cessation rates are needed to reduce the number of current smokers and the more near-term health problems. (Am J Public Health. 2000;90:1311-1314) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the relationships between exposure to a smoking awareness curriculum, attitudes toward and knowledge about smoking, sociodemographic anti smoking exposure characteristics, and change in smoking starts over three years. During this period, 4.5 per cent of the students decreased their involvement with cigarettes, 56.6 per cent reported no change, and 38.9 per cent reported an increase. Exposure to the curriculum did not bear a significant relationship to change in smoking; however, changes in peer smoking, knowledge, and parental smoking were significant predictors. (Am J Public Health 1981; 71: 1401-1404.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To inform a prevention strategy, this study determined the prevalence of and attitudes toward smoking among Chinese secondary school students. Methods. Self-completion questionnaires were administered to 13- to 18-year-olds attending school in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. Results. Of the 6674 respondents, 15.9% (25.7% of the boys, 5.4% of the girls) were ever smokers. Only 0.3% were regular smokers. Of the ever smokers, 41.9% had smoked before 10 years of age and 7.9% before 5 years of age. Parental smoking was the strongest predictor of smoking. Conclusions. The very low prevalence of regular smoking found in this age group suggests that prevention programs in school may be beneficial. Parents should be encouraged to adopt more responsible attitudes toward smoking in the home. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:1653-1655) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skills intervention to prevent cigarette smoking was evaluated with 689 adolescents. At 24-month follow-up, youths who received health information and skills intervention had lower intentions to smoke and less cigarette use than youths who received health information alone and youths who received no intervention. Conclusions about the effects of skills intervention are strengthened by the common preparation and random assignment of intervention leaders and by process measurement data. (Am J Public Health 1985; 75:665-667.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the various efforts toward prevention of smoking among adolescents. It discusses the papers published within the issue which focus on smoking among teenagers while emphasizing the positive result brought by smoking cessation programs and health risk assessment in improving the health of the youth.