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This study examined the effects of temporal framing used in messages about the future likelihood of developing smoking-related diseases on intention to quit smoking. Based on construal level theory (CLT), a causal model delineating the relationships among four variables—perceived temporal distance, personal relevance, perceived susceptibility, and behavioral intention—was proposed. The model was validated by an online experiment with a sample of 222 current smokers, revealing the effects of perceived temporal distance on behavioral intention via personal relevance and perceived susceptibility. Following the CLT-grounded model, the effects of different temporal frames (near future vs. distant future) on the four variables were tested. The near-future frame featured a risk perceived to be more temporally proximal (i.e., heart attack), and the distant-future frame featured a risk perceived to be more temporally distant (i.e., larynx cancer) among current smokers. Participants exposed to the near-future frame reported significantly shorter perceived temporal distance, greater personal relevance and perceived susceptibility to the risk portrayed in the message, and greater intention to quit smoking than participants exposed to the distant-future frame. Implications for antismoking communications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Message fatigue, a phenomenon of being tired of repeated exposure to messages promoting the same health behavior, may reduce the effectiveness of anti-tobacco messages, such as warning labels. As an initial step towards understanding the phenomenon, we examined predictors of anti-tobacco message fatigue. Methods: An online study (N = 1838) involving a non-probability sample of nonsmokers and smokers in the United States assessed anti-tobacco message fatigue and individual-level factors including demographic variables and smoking status. General linear models were used to analyze the data. Results: The multivariable results show that individuals who were younger, male, and had higher income and education reported higher levels of anti-tobacco message fatigue. African Americans reported significantly lower levels of message fatigue than other racial groups. Current smokers reported greater message fatigue than transitioning smokers and nonsmokers. Among current smokers, those with greater nicotine dependence reported higher levels of anti-tobacco message fatigue. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of segmenting the audience based on their levels of message fatigue and using more novel message strategies and delivery methods to influence populations with relatively higher levels of anti-tobacco message fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though previous research suggests the FDA’s “The Real Cost” anti-smoking campaign has reduced smoking initiation, the theorized pathway of effects (through targeted beliefs) has not been evaluated. This study assesses the relationship between recall of campaign television advertisements and ad-specific anti-smoking beliefs. Respondents in a nationally representative survey of nonsmoking youths age 13–17 (n = 4,831) reported exposure to four The Real Cost advertisements and a fake ad, smoking-relevant beliefs, and nonsmoking intentions. Analyses separately predicted each targeted belief from specific ad recall, adjusting for potential confounders and survey weights. Parallel analyses with non-targeted beliefs showed smaller effects, strengthening claims of campaign effects. Recall of four campaign ads (but not the fake ad) significantly predicted endorsement of the ad-targeted belief (Meanβ = .13). Two-sided sign tests indicated stronger ad recall associations with the targeted belief relative to the non-targeted belief (p < .05). Logistic regression analyses indicated that respondents who endorsed campaign-targeted beliefs were more likely to have no intention to smoke (p < .01). This study is the first to demonstrate a relationship between recall of ads from The Real Cost campaign and the theorized pathway of effects (through targeted beliefs). These analyses also provide a methodological template for showing campaign effects despite limitations of available data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper evaluates the impact of State sponsored anti-smoking mass media campaign and smoking behavior of youth through individual self reported exposure to advertisement. The study has been conducted using a cross sectional survey using Stratified Non-probability technique by using Both Computer Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) and Paper and Pencil Interview (PAPI) method to conduct the survey. The study has been conducted in five major institutes of, Noida, a fastest growing region in National Capital Region (NCR). The overall results suggested that target sample is not only exposed to anti-smoking mass media campaign but also brings significant long term benefits in lessening smoking by inducing more initiating intentions among youth to quit smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts are underway to educate consumers about the dangers of smoking at the point of sale (POS). Research is limited about the efficacy of POS antismoking ads to guide campaign development. This study experimentally tests whether the type of antismoking ad and the context in which ads are viewed influence people’s reactions to the ads. A national convenience sample of 7,812 adult current smokers and recent quitters was randomized to 1 of 39 conditions. Participants viewed one of the four types of antismoking ads (negative health consequences—graphic, negative social consequences—intended emotive, benefits of quitting—informational, benefits of quitting—graphic) in one of the three contexts (alone, next to a cigarette ad, POS tobacco display). We assessed participants’ reactions to the ads, including perceived effectiveness, negative emotion, affective dissonance, and motivational reaction. Graphic ads elicited more negative emotion and affective dissonance than benefits of quitting ads. Graphic ads elicited higher perceived effectiveness and more affective dissonance than intended emotive ads. Antismoking ads fared best when viewed alone, and graphic ads were least influenced by the context in which they were viewed. These results suggest that in developing POS campaigns, it is important to consider the competitive pro-tobacco context in which antismoking ads will be viewed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Cigarette smoking remains a major cause of death in China. Are health sciences libraries in China currently providing awareness, advocacy, or research support for the societal benefits of smoking reduction? Methods: Following institutional review board approval, Library contacts for Chinese schools of medicine, public health, and pharmacy were identified. A bilingual online survey was constructed to obtain respondents' demographic detail and answers to questions about library resources and services that constitute academic awareness, advocacy, curriculum, or research support about tobacco and smoking. Results: 43% of reporting librarians work on a smoke-free campus. 100% of all reporting libraries work in smoke-free libraries, though 6% of the reporting libraries offer a smoking room for staff. All reporting libraries contain printed material on the dangers of smoking. Student requests for materials or acquisition recommendations are infrequent. More than 60% of the librarians report medical residents occasionally ask for tobacco-related literature. Nearly 60% of librarians reported faculty occasionally ask for materials about smoking. More than 60% of instructors were reported to occasionally ask for database searches about cigarettes or tobacco. 33% of librarians reported creating a collection guide about smoking. 15% of reporting libraries hosted a traveling exhibit on smoking. Conclusion: Some Chinese health sciences libraries are providing public health information and collaborating with faculty and students to support the reduction of smoking and tobacco use. Anecdotal statements collected from survey participants confirms their awareness of the educational and advocacy roles librarians play in their country's smoking crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The scale-up of tobacco control, especially after the adoption of the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, is a major public health success story. Nonetheless, smoking remains a leading risk for early death and disability worldwide, and therefore continues to require sustained political commitment. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) offers a robust platform through which global, regional, and national progress toward achieving smoking-related targets can be assessed.Methods: We synthesised 2818 data sources with spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression and produced estimates of daily smoking prevalence by sex, age group, and year for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2015. We analysed 38 risk-outcome pairs to generate estimates of smoking-attributable mortality and disease burden, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). We then performed a cohort analysis of smoking prevalence by birth-year cohort to better understand temporal age patterns in smoking. We also did a decomposition analysis, in which we parsed out changes in all-cause smoking-attributable DALYs due to changes in population growth, population ageing, smoking prevalence, and risk-deleted DALY rates. Finally, we explored results by level of development using the Socio-demographic Index (SDI).Findings: Worldwide, the age-standardised prevalence of daily smoking was 25·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 24·2-25·7) for men and 5·4% (5·1-5·7) for women, representing 28·4% (25·8-31·1) and 34·4% (29·4-38·6) reductions, respectively, since 1990. A greater percentage of countries and territories achieved significant annualised rates of decline in smoking prevalence from 1990 to 2005 than in between 2005 and 2015; however, only four countries had significant annualised increases in smoking prevalence between 2005 and 2015 (Congo [Brazzaville] and Azerbaijan for men and Kuwait and Timor-Leste for women). In 2015, 11·5% of global deaths (6·4 million [95% UI 5·7-7·0 million]) were attributable to smoking worldwide, of which 52·2% took place in four countries (China, India, the USA, and Russia). Smoking was ranked among the five leading risk factors by DALYs in 109 countries and territories in 2015, rising from 88 geographies in 1990. In terms of birth cohorts, male smoking prevalence followed similar age patterns across levels of SDI, whereas much more heterogeneity was found in age patterns for female smokers by level of development. While smoking prevalence and risk-deleted DALY rates mostly decreased by sex and SDI quintile, population growth, population ageing, or a combination of both, drove rises in overall smoking-attributable DALYs in low-SDI to middle-SDI geographies between 2005 and 2015.Interpretation: The pace of progress in reducing smoking prevalence has been heterogeneous across geographies, development status, and sex, and as highlighted by more recent trends, maintaining past rates of decline should not be taken for granted, especially in women and in low-SDI to middle-SDI countries. Beyond the effect of the tobacco industry and societal mores, a crucial challenge facing tobacco control initiatives is that demographic forces are poised to heighten smoking's global toll, unless progress in preventing initiation and promoting cessation can be substantially accelerated. Greater success in tobacco control is possible but requires effective, comprehensive, and adequately implemented and enforced policies, which might in turn require global and national levels of political commitment beyond what has been achieved during the past 25 years.Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a text message-based smoking cessation intervention in China.Design: Study design was a randomized control trial with a 6-month follow-up assessment of smoking status.Setting: Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, and Shaanxi provinces in China provided the study setting.Subjects: A total of 8000 adult smokers in China who used Nokia Life Tools and participated in phase 2 (smoking education via text message) of the study were included.Intervention: The high-frequency text contact (HFTC) group received one to three messages daily containing smoking cessation advice, encouragement, and health education information. The low-frequency text contact (LFTC) group received one weekly message with smoking health effects information.Measures: Our primary outcome was smoking status at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention. Secondary outcomes include participant perceptions of the HFTC intervention, and factors associated with smoking cessation among HFTC participants.Analysis: Descriptive and χ2 analyses were conducted to assess smoking status and acceptability. Factors associated with quitting were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses.Results: Quit rates were high in both the HFTC and LFTC groups (HFTC: 0 month, 27.9%; 1 month, 30.5%; 3 months, 26.7%; and 6 months, 27.7%; LFTC: 0 month, 26.7%; 1 month, 30.4%; 3 months, 28.1%; and 6 months, 27.7%), with no significant difference between the two groups in an intent-to-treat analysis. Attitudes toward the HFTC intervention were largely positive.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a text message-based smoking cessation intervention can be successfully delivered in China and is acceptable to Chinese smokers, but further research is needed to assess the potential impact of this type of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Evaluate the perceived effectiveness of key antismoking messages among highly disadvantaged smokers and assess the impact of nicotine dependence and cessation cognitions on message processing.Design: The experimental crossover trial, undertaken between March and December 2012, randomly exposed participants to two of three antismoking advertisements delivered via touchscreen computer.Setting: Welfare recipients were recruited from a community service organization in New South Wales, Australia.Subjects: Subjects were 354 smokers (79% response rate). Participants resided in government rental housing (52%), earned less than AUD$400/wk (72%), and received their primary income from government welfare (95%).Intervention: Three 30-second antismoking television advertisements representing common campaign themes: why to quit (graphic imagery), why to quit (personal testimonial), or how to quit.Measures: An 11-item scale assessed perceived effectiveness and message acceptance. An eight-item cessation cognitions index assessed motivations and readiness to quit, and the heaviness of smoking index was used to classify nicotine dependence.Analysis: Descriptive statistics, generalized linear mixed models, and multiple linear regression analyses are reported.Results: Why-to-quit advertisements were perceived as significantly more effective than the how-to-quit advertisement (all p < .0001). Smokers with positive cessation cognitions were more likely to accept antismoking messages (p = .0003) and perceive them as effective (p < .0001). Nicotine dependence level did not influence message acceptance (p = .7322) or effectiveness (p = .8872).Conclusion: Highly emotive advertisements providing good reasons to quit may be the most effective in promoting the antismoking message among groups with high smoking rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: This study compares the cigarette and smokeless tobacco (SLT) markets in Texas and the United States (US) as a whole. Methods: Nielsen convenience store sales data from 2014 were obtained for Dallas, Houston, San Antonio/Austin, and the total US. Descriptive statistics highlighted market share differences in Texas compared to the US overall. Results: Marlboro and Copenhagen dominated the cigarette (58.9%) and SLT markets (44.8%) in Texas and had substantially higher relative market shares in Texas than nationally (46.7% and 29.8%, respectively). Camel, with sales driven largely by its Camel Crush variety, held second place in Texas (9.8%), outselling Newport (6.6%), despite Newport's status as second best-selling brand in the US (11.5%). Copenhagen led the SLT market in Texas, outselling Grizzly 2 to 1, yet the brands hold roughly equivalent shares nationally. Whereas flavored SLT products made up nearly 60% of the US SLT market, unflavored SLT (58.6%) dominated in Texas markets. Finally, sales of fine-cut SLT in Texas were more than triple their national market share. Conclusions: Regional tobacco market share differences are likely influenced by multiple factors such as marketing, population demographics, culture, and neighboring communities. Policymakers are encouraged to develop local tobacco control policies and programs within the context of this knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study measures sociodemographic disparities in perceived effectiveness of pictorial health warnings on cigarette packs. Methods: A cross-sectional study in 2011 tested 20 pictorial warnings among 1517 adults across Lebanon. Participants evaluated the effectiveness of the current text-only warning, and 2 pictorial warnings. Health warnings were thematically grouped. Logistic regression models evaluated associations between the perceived effectiveness of themes and sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Perceived effectiveness of the current warning was 15.0% (95% CI 13.2%-16.9%). All pictorial warnings were perceived to be more effective than the current warning, including those about the long-term consequences of smoking (78.1%, 95% CI 74.9%-81.3%) and second-hand smoke (79.2%, 95% CI 74.3%-84.2%). Men had lower odds of perceiving warnings about dependence and second-hand smoke as being effective (AOR 0.30, 95% 0.14-0.65; AOR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.50, respectively). Older respondents had lower odds of perceiving warnings about reproductive health, but higher odds of perceiving warnings about cessation, as effective (AOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14-0.88; AOR 3.30 95% CI 1.26-8.64, respectively). Other sociodemographic disparities are described. Conclusions: Pictorial warnings are perceived to be more effective than text-only warnings in Lebanon, and should be implemented considering sociodemographic disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article empirically assesses the role of new health information in the decision to quit smoking. Using individual level data from the Swiss Household Panel, health information is proxied by three different types of health events: physical health problems, mental disorders, and accidents. Exploiting retrospectively reported information on smoking behaviour, smoking cessation is modelled using a discrete time hazard model that also accounts for estimation problems arising from almost quasi-complete separation in the data. The empirical results yield robust evidence that general health problems increase the probability of instantaneous smoking cessation. Differentiating between the type of health event reveals that the overall effect is mainly driven by physical health events. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Antitobacco advertisement components, including types of messages and advertising appeals, have not been evaluated among multinational groups. This study identified and compared the content of antismoking video ads across three countries. We reviewed 86 antismoking video advertisements for the following information: severity of the consequences of smoking, types of risks, appeals to audiences' self-efficacy, benefits of not smoking, targeted social-ecological level and types of message appeal used. Two researchers independently coded each advertisement with an average inter-coder reliability of 0.79. Analyses showed a variety of focuses: smoking related health risks (86%), severe consequences of smoking (54.7%), self-efficacy beliefs (40.7%) and benefits of not smoking (84.9%). Compared to the United States and Taiwanese ads, Chinese ads were more likely to target at the community level (10% versus 23.3% versus 47.2%). Additionally, 55% of the United States ads used the fear approach, whereas 61.1% of Chinese ads used the social approach. Taiwanese ads were evenly distributed among both approaches. In conclusion, the countries used different targeting strategies and approaches during message delivery. Although China's neighboring country, Taiwan, has many similar cultural aspects, including the same language, they are greatly influenced by US antitobacco campaigns. As a result, Taiwan's tobacco campaigns appear to have similar components to both China and the United States. Further research is warranted to understand the reasons for each method and to examine the effectiveness of the ads in reducing smoking rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from a study of the effects of anti-smoking ads were analyzed. This study measured the accessibility of peer and parent norms for smoking, exposed teens to three anti-smoking ads that either emphasized personal narratives of the dangers of smoking or had a surprise ending, and measured reactance to the messages. Readiness to smoke was assessed via a phone survey 3 months later. The accessibility of pro-smoking peer norms increased readiness to engage in smoking behavior through reactance toward anti-smoking messages. The accessibility of parent norms was unrelated to reactance. Reactance was particularly strong when the ads included a surprise ending. Peer norms that oppose smoking, particularly if they can be brought to mind quickly, are an important protective factor in that they may reduce reactance to anti-smoking messages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the USA, despite the vast and widely publicized knowledge about the negative health effects of tobacco smoking. Data show that smoking cessation is often accompanied by weight gain and an improvement in insulin sensitivity over time. However, paradoxically, post-cessation-related obesity might contribute to insulin resistance. Furthermore, post-cessation weight gain is reportedly the number one reason why smokers, especially women, fail to initiate smoking cessation or relapse after initiating smoking cessation. In this Review, we discuss the metabolic effects of stopping smoking and highlight future considerations for smoking cessation programs and therapies to be designed with an emphasis on reducing post-cessation weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India records about 8 lakhs tobacco consumption related death every year (ICMR, report). The major tobacco control program includes creating awareness, reduction in tobacco production as well as banning of tobacco use in public places & control of tobacco distribution system. During the 2013s there will be estimated 1 million tobacco consumption related deaths in India and about 70% of deaths in pre-elderly consumers. Currently, tobacco is responsible for 1 in 5 of all male deaths in middle age. The Govt. of India has taken many initiatives & implemented different laws in this regard. However, very little improvement is seen suggesting an ineffective implementation of the law. The authors suggest that significant change can be gained only if the existing law is implemented effectively, therefore a separate law enforcing authority & a separate tobacco control cell at various levels may play a vital role in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's policy on tobacco use is presented, which calls on dental personnel to promote tobacco-free dental offices, schools, and other facilities, educate patients and their parents on the health risks of smoking and second-hand smoke, provide smoking prevention and cessation services, and work for government policies to reduce tobacco use.

BACKGROUND: At least two rounds of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) have been completed in most of the countries in the World Health Organization South-East Asia region. Comparing findings from these two rounds provides trend data on smokeless tobacco (SLT) use for the first time. METHODS: This study uses GYTS data from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste during 2006-2013. GYTS is a nationally representative survey of 13-15-year-old students using a consistent and standard protocol. Current SLT use is defined as using any kind of SLT products, such as chewing betel quid or nonbetel quid or snuffing any other products orally or through the nasal route, during the 30 days preceding the survey. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were computed using SAS/SUDAAN software. RESULTS: According to most recent GYTS data available in each country, the prevalence of current use of SLT among youth varied from 5.7% in Thailand to 23.2% in Bhutan; among boys, from 7.1% in Bangladesh to 27.2% in Bhutan; and among girls, from 3.7% in Bangladesh to 19.8% in Bhutan. Prevalence of SLT was reported significantly higher among boys than girls in Bhutan (boys 27.2%; girls 19.8%), India (boys 11.1%; girls 6.0%), Maldives (boys 9.2%; girls 2.9%), Myanmar (boys 15.2%; girls 4.0%), and Sri Lanka (boys 13.0%; girls 4.1%). Prevalence of current SLT use increased in Bhutan from 9.4% in 2009 to 23.2% in 2013, and in Nepal from 6.1% in 2007 to 16.2% in 2011. CONCLUSION: The findings call for countries to implement corrective measures through strengthened policy and enforcement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Global Adult Tobacco Survey India 2009-2010 revealed that more than one-third (35%) of adults in India use tobacco in some form: 21% use smokeless tobacco, 9% smoke, and 5% are mixed users (they smoke and use smokeless tobacco), and the quit rate is very low. In an effort to decrease prevalence of tobacco use, it is thus important to understand the factors that are related to intention to quit among Indian tobacco users. Research has shown consistently that intention to quit is a strong predictor of future quitting. The present study reports the factors encouraging quitting tobacco products in India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional data from Wave 1 of the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation India Survey conducted in four cities and surrounding rural areas (i.e. Mumbai [Maharashtra], Patna [Bihar], Indore [Madhya Pradesh], and Kolkata [West Bengal]) between August 2010 and December 2011 were analyzed. A total of 8051 tobacco users (15+ years) were randomly sampled from 8586 households: 1255 smokers, 5991 smokeless users, and 805 mixed (smoke and smokeless) users. Validated, standardized questions were asked about current tobacco use, intention to quit, and factors encouraging quitting. RESULTS: Overall, 19.6% of tobacco users intended to quit. Smokers had less intention to quit as compared to smokeless tobacco users whereas mixed users had more intention to quit (odds ratio [OR] =1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.12-1.97) compared to smokeless tobacco users. Highly educated people were more likely to report intention to quit (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.09-3.02) compared to less educated. Advice by doctors to quit tobacco had a strong impact on intention to quit (OR = 1.68, CI = 1.29-2.15). Tobacco users who were exposed to antitobacco messages at work places (OR = 1.74, CI = 1.23-2.46), at restaurants (OR = 1.65, CI = 1.12-2.43), bars (OR = 1.81, CI = 1.07-3.06), on public transportation (OR = 2.14, CI = 1.49-3.08) and on tobacco packages (OR = 1.77, CI = 1.29-2.14) also expressed greater intention to quit tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Around one-fifth of tobacco users in India intended to quit tobacco use. Higher education, doctor's advice, and antitobacco messages were positively associated with users' intention to quit tobacco. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use is a leading cause of deaths and Disability Adjusted Life Years lost worldwide, particularly in South-East Asia. Health risks associated with exclusive use of one form of tobacco alone has a different health risk profile when compared to dual use. In order to tease out specific profiles of mutually exclusive categories of tobacco use, we carried out this analysis. METHODS: The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data was used to describe the profiles of three mutually exclusive tobacco use categories ("Current smoking only," "Current smokeless tobacco [SLT] use only," and "Dual use") in four World Health Organization South-East Asia Region countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Thailand. GATS was a nationally representative household-based survey that used a stratified multistage cluster sampling design proportional to population size. Prevalence of different forms of usage were described as proportions. Logistics regression analyses was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. All analyses were weighted, accounted for the complex sampling design and conducted using SPSS version 18. RESULTS: The prevalence of different forms of tobacco use varied across countries. Current tobacco use ranged from 27.2% in Thailand to 43.3% in Bangladesh. Exclusively smoking was more common in Indonesia (34.0%) and Thailand (23.4%) and less common in Bangladesh (16.1%) and India (8.7%). Exclusively using SLT was more common in Bangladesh (20.3%) and India (20.6%) and less common on Indonesia (0.9%) and Thailand (3.5%). Dual use of smoking and SLT was found in Bangladesh (6.8%) and India (5.3%), but was negligible in Indonesia (0.8) and Thailand (0.4%). Gender, age, education and wealth had significant effects on the OR for most forms of tobacco use across all four countries with the exceptions of SLT use in Indonesia and dual use in both Indonesia and Thailand. In general, the different forms of tobacco use increased among males and with increasing age; and decreased with higher education and wealth. The results for urban versus rural residence were mixed and frequently not significant once controlling for the other demographic factors. CONCLUSION: This study addressed the socioeconomic disparities, which underlie health inequities due to tobacco use. Tobacco control activities in these countries should take in account local cultural, social and demographic factors for successful implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myanmar Tobacco Control Law of 2006 covers the control of all forms of tobacco use. After 7-year, tobacco use among adults did not see a decrease. The paper aimed to study the prevalence, details of the products, trade, legislation, tax, marketing, advertising and evidence on morbidity and mortality, and to make recommendations for policy options. Personal communications by authors and colleagues, and searches by keywords in PubMed and on Google, literature review and research from published reports, and various studies and surveys conducted in Myanmar and other countries. Smokeless tobacco use in Myanmar is the highest among ASEAN countries. A variety of SLT products used together with betel chewing poses a challenge; betel quid chewing has been accepted as a cultural norm in both rural and urban areas. Betel quid chewing usually starts at younger ages. Sale, marketing, and advertising of SLT are not under control and thus, road-side kiosks selling betel quid with SLT are mushrooming. Considerable trade of SLT products by illegal and legal means created an increase in access and availability. Low cost of SLT product enables high volume of use, even for the poor families. Taxation for raw tobacco and tobacco products is half the values of the tax for cigarettes. Effective enforcement, amendment of the law, and action for social change are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors argue that the international medical community need to change tobacco policy to stop cigarette smoking which is the cause of the huge number of deaths worldwide in the 20th century. Topics covered include the growth of the American cigarette companies despite the restrictions on tobacco advertising and high level of cigarette taxes, the objectives of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and the evolution of electronic nicotine-delivery systems.

The article examines the movement against cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke from 1900 to 2000 in the U.S. It mentions former surgeon general C. Everett Koop who announced the health hazards of smoking in 1985. It provides a background of the anti-smoking campaign which started in the 1960s, however smoking rates did not decline until the 1980s. Also examined are tobacco manufacturers' efforts to increase sales, popularity of cigarettes, and several organizations' anti-smoking campaigns.

This study examined the direct and indirect associations of general and smoking-specific parenting practices with Chinese adolescents' smoking behaviors. Adolescents aged 14-17 years (N = 658) and their parents were recruited from three high schools in mainland China. Adolescents completed an anonymous online survey on their smoking behaviors, perceptions of parenting behaviors, and smoking-related cognitions including attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Parents completed a paper-and-pencil questionnaire on their parenting behaviors. Results indicated that psychological control and frequency of communication about smoking were positively linked to adolescent smoking through the mediation of two smoking-related cognitions-attitude and subjective norm. Parental knowledge of adolescent activities, disapproval of adolescent smoking, and home rules were negatively linked to adolescent smoking through the mediation of attitude and subjective norm. Results suggest that parenting practices and smoking-related cognitions are critical components to be incorporated in prevention and intervention programs for adolescent smoking in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia's comprehensive approach to tobacco control has resulted in reductions in smoking prevalence so that Australian smoking rates are among the lowest in the world. However, smoking prevalence and the burden from smoking is not evenly spread across all population groups. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a smoking rate approximately double that of the broader community. It is clear and well documented that tobacco control measures influence different population groups to varying degrees. This study aimed to explore the evidence of smoke-free policy development, implementation and management within Indigenous community settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cigarette smoking habit usually begins in adolescence. The developing countries in South Asia like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where the largest segment of the population is comprised of adolescents, are more susceptible to smoking epidemic and its consequences. Therefore, it is important to identify the association between anti-smoking initiatives and current smoking status in order to design effective interventions to curtail the smoking epidemic in this region. Methods This is a secondary analysis of national data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in Pakistan (year 2003), India (year 2006), Bangladesh (year 2007), and Nepal (year 2007). GYTS is a school-based survey of students targeting adolescents of age 13-15 years. We examined the association of different ways of delivering anti-smoking messages with students' current smoking status. Results A total of 19,643 schoolchildren were included in this study. The prevalence of current smoking was 5.4 % with male predominance. No exposure to school teachings, family discussions regarding smoking hazards, and anti-smoking media messages was significantly associated with current smoking among male students. Participants who were deprived of family discussion regarding smoking hazards (girls: odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.84-2.89, p value 0.152; boys: OR 1.37, 95 % CI 1.04-1.80, p value 0.025), those who had not seen media messages (girls: OR 2.89, 95 % CI 1.58-5.28, p value <0.001; boys: OR 1.32, 95 % CI 0.91-1.88, p value 0.134), and those who were not taught the harmful effects of smoking at school (girls: OR 2.00, 95 % CI 0.95-4.21, p value 0.066; boys: OR 1.89, 95 % CI 1.44-2.48, p value <0.001) had higher odds of being current smokers after multivariate adjustment. Conclusion School-going adolescents in South Asia (Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh) who were not exposed to anti-tobacco media messages or were not taught about the harmful effects in school or at home had higher odds of being current smokers than their counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-centred tobacco management approaches tobacco smoking as a chronic disease and can be offered to all smokers irrespective of their attitude to quitting. Maintaining a long-term relationship with smokers enables the adoption of flexible solutions and shared goals. It is argued that patient-centred tobacco management potentially heightens the chances of eventual abstinence for smokers who are unable, or not yet ready to quit. [ Gould, GS. Patient-centred tobacco management. Drug Alcohol Rev 2014;33:93-98] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Non-smoker employees can significantly improve the existing smoke-free policies in the workplace by asserting their right for smoke-free air and confronting smoker colleagues. The aim of the study was to assess the psychological and social drivers of non-smokers' readiness to assert their right for smoke-free air in the workplace. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six small-and-medium enterprises (SME) with diverse background were randomly selected, and 284 employees agreed to participate in the study. Our study focused on the responses of 85 non-smokers (M age = 34 years, SD = 7.98, 84.2% worked in indoor offices). A cross-sectional design was used and participants completed a structured anonymous questionnaire assessing background and demographic characteristics, and psychosocial predictors of assertiveness intentions. Results: Although more than half of non-smokers reported they were often/almost always bothered by exposure to SHS, roughly one third of them reported having asked their colleagues not to smoke at work. Regression analysis showed that the effects of distal predictors (i.e. annoyance due to SHS exposure) were mediated by past behaviour, attitudes (protection motivation beliefs), social norms, and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Health beliefs related to SHS exposure, and concerns about workplace health and job performance, social norms and self-efficacy can increase the assertiveness of non-smokers in workplace settings. Related campaigns should focus on communicating normative messages and self-efficacy training to empower non-smoker employees to act assertively towards protecting their smoke-free rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the level of fear experienced by students aged 13 to 30 years, in response to different types of anti-smoking fear appeals. It seeks to extend and validate Quinn et al.'s study by specifically comparing adolescent and young adult responses to fear appeals. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 548 useable questionnaires were collected via a self-administered questionnaire based on established scales. Factor analysis, T tests and ANOVA were used to replicate Quinn et al.'s analysis of the data. Findings – The main results are consistent with previous findings that adolescents and non-smokers experience more fear. Further, general health and factual appeals cause the most fear across all ages but adolescents were more fearful of factual appeals and social ostracism appeals than young adults possibly indicating that factual and social appeals are better targeted at adolescents than young adults. The results were broadly similar to Quinn et al.'s results. Practical implications – Advertisers often use realistic fear appeals to attract the attention of the intended recipient, to scare the recipient into processing the information, and to get them to act in response to the anti-smoking message. However, because adolescents and nonsmokers experience more fear, social marketers, governments, schools and parents need to customise fear appeals to suit these recipients. Originality/value – The current study re-tests and revalidates the effect of these different appeal types amongst adolescents and young adults. The results will help clarify which type of fear appeal causes more fear amongst adolescents and young adults in Australia, 20 years on from Quinn et al.'s study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The number of adults who smoke is decreasing, yet this decreasing trend is not spread evenly across the population, with the greatest number of smokers in the routine/ manual worker (R/M) population. This study aimed to gain insight into the beliefs, behaviours and cessation needs of R/M smokers working on construction sites to inform the potential development of a work-based smoking cessation service. Study design: A qualitative study in a work-based setting in the UK. Methods: Semi-structured focus group discussions and individual interviews (n = 23) with R/M employees on two development sites in London and seven employers. Data were analysed using a framework approach. Results: Key motivations for smoking continuance within this group were evident: physical effects, habit and routine, opportunity and social factors. Employees were knowledgeable about the negative health impacts of smoking, but showed limited awareness of smoking cessation services and aids available. Intentions to give up smoking were common, with favourable attitudes towards the development of a work-based smoking cessation service. Conclusion: The milieu of construction sites means that tailored approaches to work-based smoking cessation programmes are needed to maximize potential benefits for both employees and employers. Reconsideration of current Smokefree legislation as it applies to the construction industry is also required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that self-affirmation can reduce individuals’ defensive processing of threatening health messages. In this study, we examine two audience characteristics—smoking experience and trait reactance—that might regulate the effects of self-affirmation on negative message responses within the context of college smoking. Results of a controlled experiment indicate that self-affirmation worked to reduce negative message responses among smokers who were low in trait reactance. For smokers high in trait reactance and nonsmokers, the effect of self-affirmation was either unclear or went in a direction that led to even greater defensive processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking and the different uses of Tobacco has been considered the major cause of human deaths all over the world. Nearly five million people who smoke die from tobacco related diseases every year around the world. There is no other consumer product that kills and causes terminal illness and disability in so many people. To save the humanity, The World Health Organization has thrown its normal weight behind the effort to control the tobacco epidemic. Many countries have made significant progress in this area and have supplemented education programs with restrictive and legislative measures. Many countries regulate or restrict tobacco sales and advertising and require warnings to be placed prominently on the product packaging. Many governments have now banned smoking in public venues over concerns of second hand smoke, and ostensibly to discourage tobacco use in general. The paper suggests that the Advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco use should be banned. On the other hand, Mass media (Newspapers, TV, radio etc) should play their role to eradicate this menace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify correlates of current cigarette use among 8,470 school-going adolescents (aged 11 to 18 years) in South Africa. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2008 in South Africa within the framework of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS). Overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 16.5%. Significantly more males (22.8%) than females (10.5%) were current smokers (p < .001). Cigarette smoking among boys and girls was positively associated with parental and/or peer smoking and greater risk perception, and among girls smoking attitudes variables (having more friends among girls, greater attractiveness of boys and weight change) and various higher exposure to smoking advertising and promotion activities were positively associated with cigarette smoking. However, antismoking advertising and community and family education were positively associated with current smoking, while only having school or community special groups or classes for students who want to stop smoking was protective of smoking. Cigarette smoking and other tobacco use is a significant public health problem in South Africa. Public health efforts aimed at preventing adolescent cigarette/tobacco use should incorporate knowledge on the associated factors related to smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue addressed: This paper reports on the evaluation of a culturally specific smoking cessation training program (SmokeCheck) for health professionals working in Aboriginal health in NSW. Training aimed to increase professionals' knowledge, skills and confidence to offer an evidence-based quit smoking brief intervention to Aboriginal clients. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental pre-post with 165 matched intervention participants, surveys were completed immediately before (baseline) and 6-months post training. The control group were on a waiting list for 6 months before receiving the intervention, and completed surveys at baseline, immediately before training and 3-6 months following training. Surveys assessed knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver the intervention, availability of resources, and smoke-free status of homes. Results: Post training, a higher proportion of intervention group participants were more confident talking about health effects (22%, p=0.001), offering quit advice (27%, p=0.001), assessing readiness to quit (31%, p=0.001) and initiating a conversation about smoking (24%, p=0.001). After training, more participants reported providing advice about NRT (15%, p=0.001), ETS (12%, p=0.006), and reducing tobacco use (10%, p=0.034), but no changes were reported in smoking or intention to quit. Conversely, the control group showed no significant changes. Conclusions: SmokeCheck training strengthened participants' knowledge, skills and confidence to deliver a smoking cessation intervention to Aboriginal clients.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco is addictive and cigarette smoking causes significant morbidity among smokers due to the harmful side effects of tar and other constituents. Many diseases caused by tobacco smoking result in death, of which half are premature. When smokers stop smoking, even in middle age, there is a substantial improvement in life expectancy. Stopping smoking is not always so easy: the addictive nature of nicotine makes it a lot easier to start smoking than to stop permanently. Currently, 40% of men and 30% of women in the European Union smoke, although there is little information about how many of these want to stop smoking and what their attitudes to stopping are. Methods: Representative samples of smokers were interviewed in the fifteen Member States of the European Union as well as Poland and Russia, employing individual, face-to-face interviews. The national characteristics in key variables, such as age, gender, socio-economic status and urban-rural status, were included in the study design in all countries. The sample comprised a representative sample of smokers, aged 18 or more, in each country. A combined total of 10,295 smokers were interviewed. Results: Overall, the majority of smokers want to stop smoking. This percentage varies greatly between countries, with 84% in Sweden stating that they wished to stop compared with less than 40% in Austria, Germany and Italy. Smokers want to be told by their doctor that they should stop smoking. However, only 34% of smokers have been told by their doctor to stop smoking and only 11.6% have been counselled by their doctor about the possible assistance available to help them stop successfully. The similarity of the findings in men and women is notable. Conclusion: For the first time, data are available from representative samples of European Smokers to give a picture of smokers and some of their attitudes and patterns of behaviour. These findings reinforce the conclusion that there should be a wide range of activities utilised to achieve Tobacco Control. Everything that can be done to prevent children and adolescents starting to smoke must be identified and implemented. Doctors should routinely advise their patients who smoke that they should stop smoking and inform them of what help is available to do so. The proportion of adult smokers who wish to stop needs to be further increased and all the help necessary to improve the probability that an attempt to stop smoking is successful should be made available to those who wish to stop smoking. Smokers should be considered as patients with an addictive disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dependence on cigarettes involves a learned association between smoking behaviour and both brain reward circuitry and the relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This process is overlaid by conditioning, beliefs and motives, which contribute towards keeping people smoking even when they want to stop. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), used to combat the craving and discomfort caused by nicotine withdrawal, goes a significant way towards helping smokers to recover from their dependence, but it is only part of the quitting process. Behavioural support programmes can be an effective aid to maintaining willpower and motivation. These programmes can range from intensive, face-to-face counselling and telephone counselling to self-help printed materials and videos. Low levels of access to, and demand for, intensive methods limit their reach, while generic self-help materials appear to have a small but significant impact in the absence of other interventions. There is some evidence that tailored support materials may be more effective than generic materials. The Committed Quitters™ programme offered by SmithKline Beecham is a set of highly tailored materials designed to supplement their NRT products. Evidence from clinical trials to date is encouraging and opens up the possibility of a new era in terms of getting cost-effective behavioural support to smokers on a large international scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare professional intervention has a beneficial impact on smoking cessation, even if the contact is very brief. Physicians have been the main focus of attempts to promote smoking cessation counselling, but the accessibility and high level of trust accorded to pharmacists suggests they may also be in a good position to provide effective advice. Pharmacists feel they lack the necessary skills to provide this service, however, and there is also a misperception that counselling is not needed. The National Smoking Cessation Certification Programme was set up through a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and SmithKline Beecham to address these barriers. This programme aims to train pharmacists in effective cessation counselling and covers the influence of smoking on health, complexities of the smoking behaviour, stages of the quitting process, barriers to quitting, cognitive and behavioural coping techniques and smoking cessation pharmacology. Over 5,000 pharmacists and other healthcare professionals have undertaken this programme, and outcome studies are now underway to assess the results on cessation rates. Evidence suggests that such a strategy can show a favourable comparison with screening for hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia in terms of cost per life year saved. Plans are now underway to adapt the programme for Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking remains the largest single cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in Europe. Successful strategies for smoking cessation will have clear health benefits. Even brief advice from health professionals can increase smoking cessation and such an approach should be actively promoted. The Health Education Authority (see note) in England recently developed comprehensive, evidence-based, professionally endorsed guidelines on smoking cessation. These guidelines are presented here as specific recommendations for each of the main target audiences. Although the guidelines were commissioned by the Health Education Authority (note) which had a remit for England, it is anticipated that they will prove relevant and adaptable to other countries and healthcare systems across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of a study that examined the effectiveness of "Tips from Former Smokers" (Tips), a national antismoking campaign funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It references a research by Timothy McAfee and colleagues, published in the journal "The Lancet." The study of showed that over 100,000 smokers become sustained quitters because of the public-health education programme.

The article discusses the health impact of the global tobacco epidemic, focusing on in low-income and middle-income countries. A report using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study which estimates the death and disability from smoking is noted. It is the author's view that the epidemic of tobacco deaths will advance unless tobacco control is acknowledged as priority for development, investment, and research.