Although few studies have established significant associations between cancer risk perception and smoking status, the evidence remains inconclusive. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the association between risk perception for developing cancer and smoking status, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Data from the National Cancer…

Objective: Fraternity and sorority members have one of the highest smoking rates among college students, yet little is known about the social influences on smoking within this subculture. The objective of this study was to examine sorority and fraternity member beliefs about smoking and alcohol use. Methods: In-depth individual interviews were…

This research focuses on the analysis of cannabis consumption amongst young people, explaining this phenomenon by way of analysing the differences between cannabis smokers and non-smokers in order to shed light on whether cannabis is linked to specific leisure activities, and, moreover, whether it is connected to the intensity and variety of…

Media literacy education teaches youth to critically examine the influence of media messages on health and substance use behavior. A small group of low-achieving middle school students at high risk for substance abuse attending an afterschool academic remediation program received a media literacy intervention intended for elementary students in a…

Examines the relationships of smoking-related beliefs, attitudes, and smoking status, with a focus on experimental smoking. Survey results of 9,774 respondents suggest that attitude and belief variables can adequately predict smoking stages of adolescents as defined by the stage model of smoking acquisition. Argues that intervention with…

Parents who smoke possess an adequate level of knowledge about smoking but still lack sufficient knowledge in crucial areas. Parents (n=60) expressed positive attitudes about their children and smoking and acknowledged their powerlessness to prevent their children from smoking. Discusses the study's limitations and offers recommendations. (RJM)

College students (n=177) ranked influence they thought various factors had on their smoking behavior. Subjects ranked peers first and cigarette advertisements last as causes of starting to smoke; my decision and health education advertisements highest and peers lowest for quitting smoking. Findings suggest students perceived they had high degree…

Studies have shown that cigarette smokers are generally aware of increased health risks associated with smoking, but that smokers tend to underestimate their own susceptibility to disease. In general, optimistic bias has been shown to increase with greater perceived control over an event or behavior; however, this phenomenon has not been examined…

Examined the relationship between depressive feelings and cigarette smoking in Mexican-American adolescents who participated in the 1993 Teenage Attitudes and Practices Survey II. Results suggest a relationship between certain feelings of depression and smoking, beyond that experienced by nonsmokers, which may be more evident in females.…

The design, application, and evaluation of an eco-model for cigarette smoking education is proposed. (MM)

Examines the alcohol and cigarette use patterns of adolescent and young adult female patients (N=246). Results indicate that smoking differences between Whites and Blacks was inversely related to education: less-educated Whites and more-educated Blacks had a greater smoking risk. Conclusions show females' differential needs regarding alcohol and…

This study reports on findings from the first two years of a study to compare a standard Life Skill Training (LST) program with an infused (I-LST) approach. Nine small, rural school districts were randomly assigned to LST, I-LST, or control conditions in grade seven. The LST program significantly reduced alcohol use, binge drinking, marijuana use,…

Drinking and smoking habits of a group of college students did not change after a 15-week period of exercises. Results indicate a conscious commitment to changing life-styles may be an important factor and should be considered before physical activites are added to drug and alcohol abuse programs. (Author/JAC)

Study evaluated training program to train lay health volunteers in facilitating smoking cession for a low-income, African American community. Program applied constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory, namely self-efficacy and outcome expectations relating to the processes of behavioral change. Results highlighted changes in knowledge, outcome…

Charges that mass media campaigns have not been effective in dealing with such public health problems as drinking, smoking, and drugs. Reasons for this lack of effectiveness are discussed in terms of a hostile environment of antihealth advertising. Three conditions for success (monopolization, canalization, and supplementation) are discussed. (JAC)