This particular topic has been studied before and even commented on by me. But it bears repeating, especially when a great study comes out and tells us something we all suspected in the first place. The question is this, if people who have greater college education smoke less, then how far back can we trace this phenomona? In other words, do lower achievers in say, high school, middle school or even elementary school, have a greater propensity to end up a smoker?
I love the journal Addiction. They publish some really unique studies on nicotine addiction. The researchers here have really hit a home run, or at least I think so. They evaluated 741 kids with absolutely no history of smoking in the 7th grade, this is in Canada. They followed these kids for 4 years up through grade 10. Here's what they found.
Based on the grade point average (GPA) of the students, three academic achievement levels or what they call trajectories were identified: high achievers (HA), average achievers (AA) and unstable low achievers (ULA). ULA made up about 12% of the total studied population. Within these three groups were identified different rates of smoking initiation.
HA - 7.1% initiation
AA - 15.1% initiation
ULA - 49.1% initiation
Lets see if we can identify a trend. Hum, it's on the tip of my tongue. Pretty startling isn't it. In addition, they found that ULA students who had involved and educated parents were less likely to initiate smoking.
It looks as if apathy is the largest contributor to smoking initiation. Here comes my sweeping, broad stroked statement - kids who aren't taught to care about their education by their parents seem doomed to repeat their parents' mistakes. Now granted, some of these kids have very difficult family situations, but I'm sure those exist in all the populations studied.
The point is this, education seems to matter, especially when it comes to smoking. The less educated smoke more. Those identified early in adolescence as low achievers will end up smoking more. This is great to know because that means we can intervene in this time of their life and potentially break the cycle of addiction before it starts. Nicotine and the brain do not mix, especially at such a young age. But it seems we can do something about it. So talk to your kids before he/she gets to 7th grade about how smoking is stupid and how it kills people. We do it here all the time and my kids are totally grossed out by smoking and think it's the worst thing ever.
Showing posts with label teenage smoking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teenage smoking. Show all posts
Teenager Smoking Cessation With Physical Activity
Physical activity has long been suspected as a useful tool in helping people quit smoking. The idea is to elevate the person's sense of well being and health, thereby discouraging unhealthy behavior, like smoking. It also changes the routine of smokers, so they have more breaks in the smoking behavior chain, thus addressing the conditioned responses found among smokers.
So the question then becomes, will physical activity help teenagers stop smoking? Will teenage smoking cessation rates improve if you get them jumping around, lifting weights and playing flag football? Intuitively, the answer seems kind of obvious, "Yes". But science must come along and tell us if our common sense is really that common. Here's what we find.
An article published in Pediatrics, entitled "Effects of Physical Activity on Teen Smoking Cessation" by Horn, et al, asked this very question. They didn't go to Colorado where physical activity is at its zenith. Nope, they went to the Southeastern US. And they picked a tobacco state, Virginia. Okay, what did they find?
They put kids in 3 groups: 1) provided brief cessation intervention, 2) enrolled them in a proven teen cessation program, and 3) added a physical activity module to the teen cessation program. All kids did poorest in the brief intervention group, which you'd expect.Teenagers had a greater likelihood of quitting tobacco at 6 months out, when they were enrolled in the program with the physical activity than those just enrolled in the cessation program; in particular, boys.
So I believe the answer works with what our common sense would tell us, physical activity can be a useful tool to help teenagers quit smoking, when used in an overall cessation program. So if you want to help your kids quit, get them in a quitting program that incorporates some kind of physical activity. Plus, it will help them in other areas as well.
So the question then becomes, will physical activity help teenagers stop smoking? Will teenage smoking cessation rates improve if you get them jumping around, lifting weights and playing flag football? Intuitively, the answer seems kind of obvious, "Yes". But science must come along and tell us if our common sense is really that common. Here's what we find.
An article published in Pediatrics, entitled "Effects of Physical Activity on Teen Smoking Cessation" by Horn, et al, asked this very question. They didn't go to Colorado where physical activity is at its zenith. Nope, they went to the Southeastern US. And they picked a tobacco state, Virginia. Okay, what did they find?
They put kids in 3 groups: 1) provided brief cessation intervention, 2) enrolled them in a proven teen cessation program, and 3) added a physical activity module to the teen cessation program. All kids did poorest in the brief intervention group, which you'd expect.Teenagers had a greater likelihood of quitting tobacco at 6 months out, when they were enrolled in the program with the physical activity than those just enrolled in the cessation program; in particular, boys.
So I believe the answer works with what our common sense would tell us, physical activity can be a useful tool to help teenagers quit smoking, when used in an overall cessation program. So if you want to help your kids quit, get them in a quitting program that incorporates some kind of physical activity. Plus, it will help them in other areas as well.
Adolescence Smoking
When I was in school, there were lots of kids who smoked. Adolescence smoking could have been considered a problem in my hometown, for sure. People used to hang out at one of the local lakes and light up back in the woods. In fact, I wasn't particularly popular and happened upon a bunch of popular kids smoking in the woods. I incorrectly assumed if I smoked too, then I would be popular as well. The whole 1 plus 1 equals 3 argument. Thankfully, the initial smoking experience turned me off enough that it didn't stick.
There is talk in the medical and scientific community about what to do when these adolescents want to quit. Then if they quit, how do we keep them quit. A recent study looked at factors that caused relapse in adolescence smoking. Again, they want to understand how to design a cookie-cutter program for youth.
It was no shocker to me that they discovered a whole host of factors that caused relapse in adolescence smoking. I think the researchers need to remember what it was like when they were kids. Very little makes sense about kids. They're fighting hormones, peer pressures, acceptence, relational conflicts, the idea of being grown up, etc. There is no cookie-cutter approach smoking cessation or relapse prevention in adolescence smoking. Hey, they're just kids. Too many variables to consider.
IMHO, I think we should focus on establishing a strong parental relationship with their kids. If there aren't any parents or if they're duds, then we should focus our attention on getting them help. My guess would be that smoking is probably the least of those kids' problems. Don't get me wrong, but suicide, crime and other social ills probably rank higher on the priority list than does adolescence smoking for those at risk kids.
There is talk in the medical and scientific community about what to do when these adolescents want to quit. Then if they quit, how do we keep them quit. A recent study looked at factors that caused relapse in adolescence smoking. Again, they want to understand how to design a cookie-cutter program for youth.
It was no shocker to me that they discovered a whole host of factors that caused relapse in adolescence smoking. I think the researchers need to remember what it was like when they were kids. Very little makes sense about kids. They're fighting hormones, peer pressures, acceptence, relational conflicts, the idea of being grown up, etc. There is no cookie-cutter approach smoking cessation or relapse prevention in adolescence smoking. Hey, they're just kids. Too many variables to consider.
IMHO, I think we should focus on establishing a strong parental relationship with their kids. If there aren't any parents or if they're duds, then we should focus our attention on getting them help. My guess would be that smoking is probably the least of those kids' problems. Don't get me wrong, but suicide, crime and other social ills probably rank higher on the priority list than does adolescence smoking for those at risk kids.
Hookah Use Among Youth
There is more evidence that hookah (water pipe) use is on the rise in America's youth. I've blogged about this before, except I took a more physiological approach. Today, there is a recent study that looks at just what it is that attracts the young people to this type of tobacco inhalation device.
I've long contended that hookah smoking just looks exotic and different to those of us in the West. It seems very "Indiana Jones"-like, if I may borrow a Hollywood icon as an example. There also seems to be this perception that hookah smoking is safer because the water is some how supposed to make it a healthier smoking experience. But as I blogged about before, that isn't the case.
The study we'll look at today is out of Nicotine & Tobacco Research by JR Smith and others and it's called "Determiants of Hookah Use among High School Students" - [2011 Mar 31 - Epub ahead of print]. The researchers looked at initiation, prevalence, cessation and psychosocial risk factors of hookah smoking among 689 students from 3 high schools in San Diego county.
They found that about 26% of the study population had participated in hookah smoking. Roughly 11% of the students were identified as previous hookah smokers and 10.3% described themselves as current hookah smokers. Hookah smoking was mostly a learned behavior with experiences being spread around among friends in 50% while 21% became interested because they saw a hookah lounge.
Once again, the students perceived the hookah smoking to be safer than regular cigarettes, but they also felt it was more socially acceptable that traditional cigarettes. Despite this fact, hookah users were also more likely to be currently smoking cigarettes, as well.
The researchers contention then, is that hookah lounges contribute to the problem of tobacco use in adolescents and should be evaluated in that light by principalities. They also conclude that hookah use is without question, on the rise in our youth. This is exacerbated by the lack of education about the hazards associated with hookah, that is, the perception that hookah use is safer than cigarettes.
Just another example of how we continue to fail our youth, both as parents, educators, health care practitioners and political leaders. We need to get the message out of the bottle and in front of our young people. Are we part of the problem or part of the solution?
I've long contended that hookah smoking just looks exotic and different to those of us in the West. It seems very "Indiana Jones"-like, if I may borrow a Hollywood icon as an example. There also seems to be this perception that hookah smoking is safer because the water is some how supposed to make it a healthier smoking experience. But as I blogged about before, that isn't the case.
The study we'll look at today is out of Nicotine & Tobacco Research by JR Smith and others and it's called "Determiants of Hookah Use among High School Students" - [2011 Mar 31 - Epub ahead of print]. The researchers looked at initiation, prevalence, cessation and psychosocial risk factors of hookah smoking among 689 students from 3 high schools in San Diego county.
They found that about 26% of the study population had participated in hookah smoking. Roughly 11% of the students were identified as previous hookah smokers and 10.3% described themselves as current hookah smokers. Hookah smoking was mostly a learned behavior with experiences being spread around among friends in 50% while 21% became interested because they saw a hookah lounge.
Once again, the students perceived the hookah smoking to be safer than regular cigarettes, but they also felt it was more socially acceptable that traditional cigarettes. Despite this fact, hookah users were also more likely to be currently smoking cigarettes, as well.
The researchers contention then, is that hookah lounges contribute to the problem of tobacco use in adolescents and should be evaluated in that light by principalities. They also conclude that hookah use is without question, on the rise in our youth. This is exacerbated by the lack of education about the hazards associated with hookah, that is, the perception that hookah use is safer than cigarettes.
Just another example of how we continue to fail our youth, both as parents, educators, health care practitioners and political leaders. We need to get the message out of the bottle and in front of our young people. Are we part of the problem or part of the solution?
Teenagers Smoking and Access to Cigarettes
Teenager smoking is a sad sight to see. It means the tobacco cycle continues with fresh new victims. But where do they get their cigarettes? My dad smoked, so when I experimented with smoking, I simply snuck a few from his half empty packs that were laying on top of the frig or end tables. Looking back on it now, I still don't know if he knew what I was doing. Now granted, I only did it for a very short time, like a couple of weeks. So I wonder if parents today realize it when their kids sneak cigarettes from them?
Perhaps there are other avenues that support teenage smoking? Maybe kids get others to buy them cigarettes, like they do beer. It's a real shame, because kids shouldn't be in that big of a hurry to grow up. To get a little off topic for a moment, it seems like kids want to do what adults do; they want the benefits that adults have; yet they don't want the responsibility or accountability that comes with it. But I digress.
So a study in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal recently e-published [2011 Apr. 2] "Access to Cigarettes by Daily Smokers in Florida's Public Middle Schools and High Schools" by Saunders, C. First of all, look at that title, yes it says "Middle Schools"! That's right around the age I was during my brief and horrid experiment. I hope this doesn't surprise anyone. Drug experimentation occurs very early in our youth. This includes alcohol, marijuana, smoking and I'm sure a host of other nastiness that will lead the poor unsuspecting child to ruin. Anyway, this research looks at the access to cigarettes available to teenagers and their attitude toward smoking.
Saunders found that daily smoking intensity was dependent on access. For example, teenage boys who got their cigarettes from their parents or stole them from stores, had a higher intensity of daily smoking. Teenage boys also associated smoking a greater number of cigarettes per day with better social benefits and more friends. The smoking community is a very welcoming community. If you prove to them you smoke, they'll be your best buddies. It seems there is a never ending supply of displace youth who feel caught between social groups in school. It's no wonder so many of them look and then find acceptance in the smoking, drinking, and drug communities within the school system.
Interestingly, the teenage girls who gave money to somebody else to buy their cigarettes for them, were more likely to smoke more per day. This was also true of teenage girls who bought cigarettes from another person.
Teenagers smoking is not a fun topic for a blog, that's for sure. But it's something we all need to understand so we can help them avoid the trappings of this disease causing habit. Sure, they feel Superman now, but later on, after they've smoking for 30 plus years, they're not going to feel so invincible. By that time, they may be well on their way to becoming just another smoking statistic.
Perhaps there are other avenues that support teenage smoking? Maybe kids get others to buy them cigarettes, like they do beer. It's a real shame, because kids shouldn't be in that big of a hurry to grow up. To get a little off topic for a moment, it seems like kids want to do what adults do; they want the benefits that adults have; yet they don't want the responsibility or accountability that comes with it. But I digress.
So a study in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal recently e-published [2011 Apr. 2] "Access to Cigarettes by Daily Smokers in Florida's Public Middle Schools and High Schools" by Saunders, C. First of all, look at that title, yes it says "Middle Schools"! That's right around the age I was during my brief and horrid experiment. I hope this doesn't surprise anyone. Drug experimentation occurs very early in our youth. This includes alcohol, marijuana, smoking and I'm sure a host of other nastiness that will lead the poor unsuspecting child to ruin. Anyway, this research looks at the access to cigarettes available to teenagers and their attitude toward smoking.
Saunders found that daily smoking intensity was dependent on access. For example, teenage boys who got their cigarettes from their parents or stole them from stores, had a higher intensity of daily smoking. Teenage boys also associated smoking a greater number of cigarettes per day with better social benefits and more friends. The smoking community is a very welcoming community. If you prove to them you smoke, they'll be your best buddies. It seems there is a never ending supply of displace youth who feel caught between social groups in school. It's no wonder so many of them look and then find acceptance in the smoking, drinking, and drug communities within the school system.
Interestingly, the teenage girls who gave money to somebody else to buy their cigarettes for them, were more likely to smoke more per day. This was also true of teenage girls who bought cigarettes from another person.
Teenagers smoking is not a fun topic for a blog, that's for sure. But it's something we all need to understand so we can help them avoid the trappings of this disease causing habit. Sure, they feel Superman now, but later on, after they've smoking for 30 plus years, they're not going to feel so invincible. By that time, they may be well on their way to becoming just another smoking statistic.
Smoking Prevention in Kids
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| Stupid Is As Stupid Does |
I remember watching television ads detailing the adverse effects of smoking. Those were great because I was incredibly impressionable and even though my dad smoked, I knew that I didn't want to follow in his footsteps. Except for some very artistic "Truth" commercials, I don't see a lot of public support for anti-smoking campaigns. It seems the stop smoking message is having a difficult time getting published on the American airways.
Interestingly, a study from the Netherlands published in Preventive Medicine, looked at what a public prevention program might look like and gives some insight into the success of such a program. They developed a program that targeted elementary students in 5th and 6th grade. These are ten and eleven year olds who are about to be placed into a junior high school atmosphere where all sorts of peer pressures and experimentations are really at work.
The intervention group received only three anti-smoking lessons in both 5th and 6th grade for a total of six lessons prior to advancing to 7th grade. They discovered the kids in the intervention group had a higher intention not to smoke and, in fact, started to smoke less often than the control group kids who did not receive the lessons. The smoking prevalence increased from 2.5% to 3.6% in the intervention group, whereas, the control group saw a jump from 3.2% to 6.5%.
Understand this is only after receiving 3 lessons in each grade prior to going on to secondary school. Imagine if they had received intensive reinforcement at home or on television. It appears that very little effort can provide large gains in helping children avoid taking that first experimental puff. Interestingly, the study found that girls had the greatest difference in smoking prevalency between the intervention and control group.
What does this mean for us? Well, I think it shows that a well placed conversation with your children over their elementary school days, can provide them with a great foundation for not smoking when they get to junior high or high school. So don't be shy about telling your kids to not smoke. Tell them how bad it is and what the potential consequences are when they're young. It seems they'll remember when their friends are telling them how great it is.
Academic Failure and Tobacco Use
There are lots of scientific studies out there to support the notion that the more poorly educated in the world are more likely to smoke. It seems the more education you have, the less likely you are to be a smoker. Therefore, it seemed only natural to research how smoking adolescents fair in school compared to their non-smoking counterparts.
The Journal of School Health published a study that looked at academic success (or failure) of 10 to 16 year old government school students in India. They defined academic failure as having to repeat the same grade level once or twice. The study included over 6,300 students between 2004 and 2006.
The researchers found a significantly greater failure rate amongs students who used tobacco versus those who were nonusers. Tobacco users included those who chewed tobacco and smoked cigarettes and/or bidis. So students who reported tobacco use in 2004 were much more likely to fail a grade by the year 2006, than those who did not use tobacco products.
This brings up the question: does smoking make you more likely to fail academically or do poor performing students just so happen to smoke? Very much a chicken or the egg argument, I know. But certainly a matter that needs further investigation. While we're thinking about this, ponder these smoking facts.
The Journal of School Health published a study that looked at academic success (or failure) of 10 to 16 year old government school students in India. They defined academic failure as having to repeat the same grade level once or twice. The study included over 6,300 students between 2004 and 2006.
The researchers found a significantly greater failure rate amongs students who used tobacco versus those who were nonusers. Tobacco users included those who chewed tobacco and smoked cigarettes and/or bidis. So students who reported tobacco use in 2004 were much more likely to fail a grade by the year 2006, than those who did not use tobacco products.
This brings up the question: does smoking make you more likely to fail academically or do poor performing students just so happen to smoke? Very much a chicken or the egg argument, I know. But certainly a matter that needs further investigation. While we're thinking about this, ponder these smoking facts.
Anti Smoking Ads
How many of us remember the anti smoking ads or commercials on television back in the 1970's? I remember those ads. I remember talking about smoking with my parents because of these public service announcements. It seems like they were on, along with the anti-littering campaigns.
I think most kids are a lot like I was, inquisitive and hungry to learn stuff. Now, I wasn't all fired up about history or math, but I was very interested in things of the world. I used to ask my parents all sorts of questions about news headlines or social topics that I read or heard about. I simply couldn't get enough information. The kids of today are no different. They want to know what's going on. After all, they grew up in the information age. We are constantly pushing the limits of communication. Twitter, Social Networking, Mashable and Digg. They've all revolutionized how we view life.What if we could use these information mediums to teach our kids today? Again, I'm not talking about social studies, but more like raising awareness within these kids. Help them to understand not only what's right and wrong, but why it's right or why it's wrong. A study in the Preventing Chronic Disease journal, looked at the influence of school policies on smoking prevalence among middle and junior high students.
The study looked at 10 Canadian school provinces during the 2004-05 school year. School tobacco policies were reviewed and students in grades 5-9 were given the Youth Smoking Survey. What the researchers found, was that schools whose policies explicitly stated purpose and goals regarding smoking, had a lower prevalence of smoking both at the school and among individuals in general. Policies which simply stated "no smoking allowed on campus" had a lower school smoking rate, but did not have lower individual smoking rates.
So how do I interpret these findings? Well, I think it goes back to my earlier point. If you don't educate or tell the kids why something is the way it is, they're not going to be as willing to follow along. However, if you give them expectations, explain why the rules exist, talk about how we're trying to protect their health, I believe you'll find them a lot more open to listening and remaining abstinent.
We've lost our way with smoking education in this country. We should borrow a page from our past and begin educating the kids; not just the teenagers, but the younger ones too. I've always been told that providing your child with the reason behind the rule, will help them follow the rule. I believe this study solidifies that point.
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