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Despite 30 years of publicity about the health consequences of smoking, following publication of the first Surgeon General's report on smoking and health,[1] and a substantial decline in overall smoking [...], A national telephone survey was conducted to measure public support for seven proposals to restrict youth access to tobacco products, including increases in the cigarette excise tax. A random digit dialing survey, using computer-assisted telephone interviews and a two-stage Mitofsky-Waksberg design, was used to generate and replace telephone numbers and to select individuals from within households. More than 94% of respondents believed cigarette smoking b.v children and adolescents to be a 'very serious' or 'somewhat serious 'problem. Most respondents expressed support for all the proposed measures to restrict youth access to tobacco products (fines for sellers, fines for youthful violators, licensing of all tobacco vendors, restrictions on cigarette rending machines, ban on sponsorship of youth-oriented events, and ban on all tobacco advertising), and for increases in the cigarette excise tax. (J Sch Health. 1994;64(8):314-317)

Many people support the regulation of tobacco use in public places and believe that measures to prevent teen smoking are successful. Between July and August 1993, researchers surveyed adults in eight states to elicit public opinion about cigarette smoking legislation. Between 42.5% and 63% of people supported smoking bans in fast-food restaurants and 55.4% to 66.9% approved of bans at indoor sporting events. Between 65.3% and 77.8% believed that banning smoking on school property effectively prevents teen smoking and 79.1% to 89.6% support a smoking ban that applies to students, teachers, and visitors. At least half of people believe that banning cigarette advertising effectively reduces smoking among teens. More that 50% of people believed that measures to limit teens' access to tobacco products effectively prevent teen smoking.

Using data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, we examined the relationships between smoking-related beliefs and attitudes and smoking status for a sample of adolescents (N = 3,198) from southern states. Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify the best predictors of smoking prevalence. Results indicated that 8 of 13 variables in the logistic model significantly differentiated between smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers were more likely to believe that it is safe to smoke for only a year or 2 and that smoking helps reduce stress and boredom while promoting relaxation. Smokers also reported a higher tolerance than nonsmokers for being around other smokers, and reported their parents would not mind their smoking. The logistic model attained a predictive accuracy of 93.2%. The implication of these findings is that if smoking interventions targeted at adolescents address smoking-related beliefs and attitudes, there is an enhanced likelihood that such interventions will positively influence the smoking behavior of southern adolescents. (1994;87:1097-1102) Min Qi Wang et al, Health Studies Program, Box 870312, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.