Young Adult Smoking Behavior Research Articles

Alcohol Consumption and Cigarette Smoking among Young Adults: An Instrumental Variable Analysis Using Alcohol Flushing.

Association between drinking and smoking has remained controversial since the association between two studies were influenced by various confounding. Thus, our study aimed to explore the causal effect of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking using alcohol flushing as an instrument variable, which is free from confounders. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from 2500 Korean young adults (1600 men and 900 women). Alcohol flushing was strongly associated with log transformed alcohol consumption (F = 272). In men, alcohol non-flushers were 1.41 times (95% CI 1.28–1.55) more likely to smoke 100 cigarettes in their lifetime in logistic regression analysis. Alcohol non-flushers were also 1.3 times (95% CI 1.21–1.40) more likely to become daily smokers and 1.39 times (95% CI 1.27–1.51) more likely to be current smokers than alcohol flushers. However, in an IV analysis, no causal relationships between alcohol consumption and smoking status were found. Alcohol consumption, on the other hand, was causally associated with lowering nicotine dependence and former smoking in men. Alcohol consumption determined by alcohol flushing status does not appear to be causally linked to the smoking behavior of young adults. The relationship between alcohol consumption and nicotine dependence and smoking cessation needs further study.

Smoking prevalence, core/periphery network positions, and peer influence: Findings from five datasets on US adolescents and young adults.

Smoking prevalence has decreased significantly among US adolescents and young adults in the past 20 years. It is possible that adolescent and young adult smokers were moving from core to peripheral positions in social networks and thus less influential as suggested in previous research on adult smokers. We construct five sample datasets to test these hypotheses but none of them receives much support. When the proportion of smokers is relatively higher in two sample datasets, smokers tended to be at more marginal network positions than nonsmokers, both smokers and nonsmoker could exert peer influence, and the magnitude of peer influence from smokers was even greater than that from nonsmokers. When smoking was less frequent in the other three sample datasets, smokers and nonsmokers were at random network positions and no peer influence on smoking behavior was detected. Therefore, core/periphery network positions are still the key linking smoking prevalence and peer influence among US adolescents and young adults but operating through a different mechanism from their adult counterparts. When scientists design and conduct prevention programs against adolescent and young adult smoking behavior, core/periphery network positions, smoking prevalence, and peer influence should all be taken into consideration.

Smoking behavior and symptoms of depression and anxiety among young adult backpackers: Results from a short longitudinal study.

Levels of smoking and smoking initiation have been found to increase during the transition to adulthood. Symptoms of depression and anxiety may both precede or follow smoking behavior, yet there is equivocal evidence regarding the direction of this relationship. The aim of the current study was to examine the direction of this relationship in a group of young adult backpackers who traveled to social environments which are permissive of smoking. The current study involved a quasi-experimental design examining 199 (52% men, mean age 24.27, SD=1.05years at time 1) young adults, before, during and following a backpacking experience of at least six months. Regression analyses was used to examine the association between smoking and symptoms of depression and anxiety over time. Relative to smoking levels before the journey, a significant transient increase in smoking was found during the journey. The increase in smoking during the journey predicted increases in both depressive and anxiety symptoms following the journey. The reverse direction models were not significant. Our study suggests that social contexts which are permissive of smoking, such as backpacking, increase young adult smoking behavior. Mood symptoms did not contribute to the observed increase in smoking behavior but, inversely, increases in smoking contributed to heightened mood symptoms. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to explore the role that smoking behavior plays in young adults' mental health.

A Longitudinal Examination of Behavioral Transitions among Young Adult Menthol and Non-Menthol Cigarette Smokers Using a Three-State Markov Model.

Young adult cigarette smoking behaviors are complex and dynamic. Emerging research suggests a growing rate of switching from non-menthol to menthol cigarettes. Transitions across cigarette smoking states are not well understood. This research longitudinally explores transitions in cigarette smoking behaviors among 18-29 year olds. We applied a Markov model to data collected biannually for 1542 initially 18-29 year old young adults (mean age: 20.9 years; SD = 2.6) in Texas, who provided 7021 total observations from Fall 2014 to Spring 2017. All participants were past 30 day menthol or non-menthol cigarette smokers at first observation. We examined transitions across three states of cigarette smoking (menthol, non-menthol, and nonsmoking) and compared predictors of each transition, during young adulthood. Descriptively, 22.2% of menthol and 14.3% of non-menthol smokers switched products while 25.6% of menthol and 26.0% of non-menthol smokers quit smoking. Among quitters, 20.0% relapsed via menthol and 28.2% relapsed via non-menthol cigarettes. Results from Markov model indicated that Hispanic/Latinos (Hazard Ratio [HR]: 3.69) and Asians (HR: 2.85) were significantly more likely to switch from non-menthol to menthol cigarettes, relative to non-Hispanic whites. Among recent quitters, the use of non-cigarette products was associated with increased risk of relapse via menthol (HR: 1.54) and non-menthol (HR: 1.85) cigarettes. A substantial proportion of young adult cigarette smokers transitioned across cigarette smoking states over the course of 2.5 years. Other tobacco use and nicotine dependence were impediments to becoming and remaining a non-smoker. Hispanic/Latinos and Asians, relative to non-Hispanic whites, had greater odds of transitioning from non-menthol smoking to both non-smoking and to menthol smoking. Findings suggest racial/ethnic differences in cigarette smoking transitions during young adulthood. This paper examined multidirectional transitions across cigarette smoking, including switching between menthol and non-menthol cigarettes, among young adults. Results indicate that Hispanic/Latino and Asian young adults are at increased risk of transition to menthol cigarette smoking compared with non-Hispanic white young adults. Findings highlight need for further study of Hispanic/Latino and Asian young adult smoking behaviors.

Using Aggregate Temporal Variation in Ad Awareness to Assess the Effects of the truth® Campaign on Youth and Young Adult Smoking Behavior

Mass media campaigns are one of the most effective population-level interventions for the prevention of tobacco use. However, accurately evaluating the effectiveness of these campaigns presents several challenges, particularly as campaign delivery becomes increasingly fractured across media platforms. There are a number of weaknesses associated with traditional, individual-level measures of campaign exposure in an increasingly socially networked, digital media ecosystem. This study evaluated the national truth® campaign using a novel method to measure campaign exposure through an aggregate weekly exogenous measure of awareness. We generated this exogenous measure from a continuous, cross-sectional tracking survey to predict intentions to smoke and current tobacco use among youth in the United States. Results from multi-level models indicated that weeks with aggregate campaign awareness greater than 65% were associated with lower odds of current tobacco use. We conclude with a discussion of implications and practical considerations for using this method for media campaign evaluation.

Smoking in Young Adults: A Study of 4-Year Smoking Behavior Patterns and Residential Presence of Features Facilitating Smoking Using Data From the Interdisciplinary Study of Inequalities in Smoking Cohort.

Young adults have the highest prevalence of smoking among all age groups in most industrialized countries and exhibit great variability in smoking behavior. Differences in associations between features in residential environments and smoking initiation, prevalence, and cessation have been extensively examined in the literature. Nonetheless, in many cases, findings remain inconsistent. This paper proposes that a potential driver of these inconsistencies is an almost exclusive focus on point-specific smoking outcomes, without consideration for the different behavior patterns that this age group may experience over time. Based on data from the Interdisciplinary Study of Inequalities in Smoking cohort of 18- to 25-year-old Montreal residents (n = 1025), we examined associations between 4-year smoking patterns measured at three timepoints and proximal presence/density of tobacco retail outlets and presence of smoker accommodation facilities in Montreal, Canada. Associations were tested using two-level multinomial and logistic models. In fully adjusted models, compared to never-smokers, residents of areas with a higher density of tobacco retail were more likely to (1) be characterized as established smokers, (2) have experienced repeated changes in smoking status (being "switchers") during the 4-year study period, and (3) be former smokers. From a conceptual standpoint, these findings highlight the importance of acknowledging and examining smoking behavior patterns among young adults. Furthermore, specific pattern-feature associations may point to unique mechanisms by which features could influence smoking behavior patterns. These findings require replication and extension, including testing hypotheses regarding tobacco retail density's role in sustaining smoking and in influencing changes in smoking status. Results from this study highlight the importance of describing and examining different young adult smoking behavior patterns and how they may be influenced by residential environment features such as the density of tobacco retail. Findings suggest that young adults residing in areas with a higher density of tobacco retailers are more likely to have experienced repeated changes in smoking status and to be established smokers. Further research in this area is needed to advance knowledge of the putative mechanisms by which residential features may influence smoking behavior patterns and to ultimately orient policy and interventions seeking to curb smoking at the local level.

Prevalence of Smoking among Young Pakistani Adults

Background: The history of smoking tobacco is primitive and dates back to as early as 5000 BC. In the last century this has changed to different forms like cigarettes, filtered cigarettes, self-made cigarettes, tobacco in leaf (beery), hukka, sheesha and pipe.
 Objectives: To explore tobacco smoking practices in young adults and the factors that influences them to initiate or quit smoking.
 Methods: It was cross sectional study based on a self-based on a self-administered questionnaire with a sample size of 486. Study subjects were young adults. The age of participants was between 17-35 years. Data was collected after taking an informed consent and the individual confidentially was maintained. A self- administered questionnaire was given where question were related to their socio-demographic characteristics and smoking behavior. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.
 Results: Of the subjects who were interviewed almost 62% were smokers. Significant number of the people did not remember the age of smoking initiation. 97% of the subjects smoked manufactured cigarettes. 49.6% of smokers had to visit a physician in last 12 months but only 40% of them were counseled regarding smoking hazards and smoking cessation. 61.6% of people had not seen any information regarding hazards of smoking on any kind of media, 27.5% saw them on electronic media and 2.6% noticed them on Bill board.
 Conclusion: The main determinants of regular smoking among the university students were male sex, lower education level and having friends who smoke. This calls for the implementation of sex and age specific anti-smoking policies. By assessing the smoking behavior in young adults, programs and policies can be designed with an aim to reduce smoking rates among the youth of our society.

Smoking Trajectory Classes and Impact of Social Smoking Identity in Two Cohorts of U.S. Young Adults.

This study describes cigarette smoking trajectories, the influence of social smoker self-identification (SSID), and correlates of these trajectories in two cohorts of U.S. young adults: a sample from the Chicago metropolitan area (Social Emotional Contexts of Adolescent and Young Adult Smoking Patterns [SECAP], n = 893) and a national sample (Truth Initiative Young Adult Cohort Study [YA Cohort], n = 1,491). Using latent class growth analyses and growth mixture models, five smoking trajectories were identified in each sample: in SECAP: nonsmoking (n = 658, 73.7%), declining smoking (n = 20, 2.2%), moderate/stable smoking (n = 114, 12.8%), high/stable smoking (n = 79, 8.9%), and escalating smoking (n = 22, 2.5%); and in YA Cohort: nonsmoking (n = 1,215, 81.5%), slowly declining smoking (n = 52, 3.5%), rapidly declining smoking (n = 50, 3.4%), stable smoking (n = 139, 9%), and escalating smoking (n = 35, 2.4%). SSID was most prevalent in moderate/stable smoking (35.5% SECAP), rapidly declining smoking (25.2% YA Cohort), and nonsmoking. Understanding nuances of how smoking identity is formed and used to limit or facilitate smoking behavior in young adults will allow for more effective interventions to reduce tobacco use.

Emotional Intelligence: Influencing Smoking Behavior in Young Adults

The present study examines the influence of emotional intelligence on smoking behavior (SB) patterns among 219 young adults belonging to the age group of 19–27 years pursuing management studies in India. The study is conducted with an aim to understand the relevance and importance of emotions in human behavior. The primary data collected are analyzed by binomial and multinomial logistic regression analyses. The study suggests that emotional intelligence has a significant impact on SB considering sex and age as moderators. It has been observed among the sample that males have higher tendency to smoke than females, and that age has no impact on the SB pattern. For the study, the reference category taken is non-smokers.

Independent and Interactive Effects of Smoking Bans and Tobacco Taxes on a Cohort of US Young Adults.

We examined the mutual effects of smoking bans and taxes on smoking among a longitudinal cohort of young adults. We combined a repository of US tobacco policies at the state and local level with the nationally representative geocoded National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 (2004-2011) from ages 19 to 31 years and Census data, to examine the impact of tobacco policies on any current and daily pack smoking. The analytic sample amounts to 19,668 observations among 4341 individuals within 487 cities. For current smoking, we found significant effects for comprehensive smoking bans, but not excise taxes. We also found an interaction effect, with bans being most effective in locales with no or low taxes. For daily pack smoking, we found significant effects for taxes, but limited support for bans. Social smoking among young adults is primarily inhibited by smoking bans, but excise taxes only deter such smoking in the absence of a ban. Heavy smokers are primarily deterred by taxes. Although both policies have an impact on young adult smoking behaviors, their dual presence does not intensify each policy's efficacy.

Specific dimensions of impulsivity are differentially associated with daily and non-daily cigarette smoking in young adults

Young adults are at risk for initiation of tobacco use and progression to tobacco dependence. Not every person who smokes cigarettes becomes tobacco dependent, however, and non-daily smoking is becoming more prevalent among those who use tobacco. It is likely that individual differences in psychosocial and behavioral factors influence risk for engaging in non-daily and daily cigarette smoking. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between impulsivity and smoking status in young adults who vary in frequency of cigarette smoking. Young adult first-year college students between the ages of 18–24 (512) were classified to one of three groups: non-smokers, non-daily smokers, or daily smokers, and impulsivity was assessed using the UPPS-P (negative and positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, sensation seeking). When all impulsivity dimensions were used simultaneously to predict smoking status, negative urgency predicted increased risk of membership in the daily smoking group and lack of premeditation predicted increased risk of membership in the non-daily smoking group. These results suggest that dimensions of impulsivity may contribute differentially to forms of smoking behavior in young adults.

Prenatal cigarette smoking: Long-term effects on young adult behavior problems and smoking behavior

We examined the long-term effects of prenatal cigarette smoke exposure (PCSE) on the behavior problems and smoking behavior of 22-year-old offspring. The mothers of these offspring were interviewed about their tobacco and other drug use during pregnancy at the fourth and seventh gestational months, and at delivery. Data on the offspring are from interviews at age 22 (n=608). Behavior problems were measured by the Adult Self-Report (ASR) with the following outcome scales: total behavior problems, externalizing, internalizing, attention, anxiety/depression, withdrawn, thought, intrusive, aggression, somatic and rule breaking behavioral problems. Young adult smoking behavior was measured using self-reported average daily cigarettes, and was validated with urine cotinine. Nicotine dependence was measured with the Fagerström Tobacco and Nicotine Dependence (FTND) scale. Regression analyses tested the relations between trimester-specific PCSE and young adult's behavioral problems and smoking behavior, adjusting for demographic and maternal psychological characteristics, and other prenatal substance exposures. Exposed young adults had significantly higher scores on the externalizing, internalizing, aggression, and somatic scales of the ASR. These young adults were also more likely to have a history of arrests. Young adults with PCSE also had a higher rate of smoking and nicotine dependence. Our previous findings of the relations between PCSE and aggressive behavior in early childhood and PCSE and smoking behavior in early adolescence extend into young adulthood.

The relationships between menthol cigarette preference and state tobacco control policies on smoking behaviors of young adult smokers in the 2006–07 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Surveys (TUS CPS)

To examine relationships between the preference for menthol cigarettes and young adult smoking behaviors, including the extent to which state tobacco control policies moderate these relationships. Cross-sectional design using secondary data from the 2006-07 Tobacco Use Supplements to the Current Population Surveys (TUS CPS) surveys appended with 2006 state-policy data. United States nationally representative survey. A total of 2241 young adult daily smokers and 688 young adult non-daily smokers. The two dependent variables of smoking behaviors were smoking first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking (TTF) and number of cigarettes smoked per day (cpd). Primary independent variables included menthol brand preference and state tobacco control policies (youth access laws, clean indoor air laws and cigarette excise taxes), adjusting for controls. Among daily smokers, there were no significant associations between menthol brand preference and TTF or cpd. However, lower educational attainment, not being in the labor force and the lack of home smoking rules were associated positively with shorter TTF, being white and the lack of home smoking rules were associated positively with cpd. Among daily smokers, state excise taxes were associated negatively with higher cpd. Among non-daily smokers, menthol brand preference was associated positively with shorter TTF, but associations did not vary with state tobacco control policies. Menthol brand preference was not associated significantly with cpd, but male gender, unmarried status and the lack of home smoking rules were associated positively with greater cpd among non-daily smokers. Young adult non-daily smokers who preferred menthol cigarettes were significantly more dependent than those who preferred non-menthol cigarettes, as shown through the shorter TTF. Associations between menthol brand preference and smoking behaviors did not vary with state tobacco control policies.

The effect of lone motherhood on the smoking behavior of young adults

We provide evidence that living with an unmarried mother during childhood raises smoking propensities for young adults in Germany.

Young Adult Smoking Behavior: Implications for Future Population Health

To qualitatively project the future health burden of tobacco from present-day young adult smoking behavior. Population surveys in California (2002) and nationally (1978-80, 2001-03). In 2002, 40% of California young adult smokers were nondaily smokers, 24% had quit at some time for >or=6 months, 45% said they smoked less now than previously, and 68% thought they would quit within 5 years. Interest in quitting was high, and most were actively engaged in the smoking cessation process. Young adult smoking behavior changed from 1978-80 to 2001-03. The future health burden from smoking will be less for the current generation of young adults.

Smoking in Movies and Increased Smoking Among Young Adults

This study assessed whether smoking in the movies was associated with smoking in young adults. A national web-enabled cross-sectional survey of 1528 young adults, aged 18-25, was performed between September and November 2005. Logistic regression and path analysis using probit regression were used to assess relationships between exposure to smoking in the movies and smoking behavior. Analysis was completed in December 2006. Exposure to smoking in the movies predicted current smoking. The adjusted odds of current smoking increased by a factor of 1.21 for each quartile increase in exposure to smoking (p<0.01) in the movies, reaching 1.77 for the top exposure quartile. The unadjusted odds of established smoking (100+ cigarettes with current smoking) increased by 1.23 per quartile (p<0.001) of exposure, reaching 1.86 for the top quartile. This effect on established smoking was mediated by two factors related to smoking in the movies: positive expectations about smoking and exposure to friends and relatives who smoked, with positive expectations accounting for about two thirds of the effect. The association between smoking in the movies and young adult smoking behavior exhibited a dose-response relationship; the more a young adult was exposed to smoking in the movies, the more likely he or she would have smoked in the past 30 days or have become an established smoker.

The Effect of Support for Action Against the Tobacco Industry on Smoking Among Young Adults

We investigated associations between tobacco industry denormalization attitudes and the smoking behavior of young adults (aged 18 to 29 years). We analyzed data from 9455 young adults in the 2002 California Tobacco Survey. The data showed that 27.4% of young adults were "ever smokers" (smoked > or = 100 cigarettes in their lifetime), of whom 66.9% were current smokers (18.3% of young adults). Denormalization attitudes formed 2 major factors: support for anti-tobacco industry action and mistrust of tobacco companies. In multivariate logistic regression, support for action against the tobacco industry was negatively associated with current smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.13, 0.19) and susceptibility to smoking, after we controlled for demographics, exposure to smokers, and advertising receptivity. Mistrust of tobacco companies was associated with smoking behavior, with anti-industry support acting as a mediating variable. Among current smokers, support for anti-tobacco industry action was strongly associated with intentions to quit (OR=4.64; 95% CI=3.15, 6.84) after we controlled for demographics, exposure to smokers, and advertising receptivity. Support for anti-tobacco industry action protects against smoking and is associated with intentions to quit among young adults. Encouraging involvement in tobacco control and against the tobacco industry may decrease smoking among young adults.

An association between the DAT1 polymorphism and smoking behavior in young adults from the national longitudinal study of adolescent health.

Associations between smoking behavior and polymorphisms in the dopaminergic genes (DAT1 and DRD2) were tested by using within- and between-family measures of allelic transmission in 2,448 young adults from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The 9-repeat allele of the dopamine transporter gene polymorphism (DAT1) was inversely associated with smoking in samples that included all subjects and only those who had initiated smoking, accounting for approximately 1% of the variance. Never smokers and current nonsmokers had an excess transmission of the 9-repeat allele compared with regular smokers, suggesting a protective effect of the 9-repeat allele, which is hypothesized to alter synaptic dopamine levels.

Early Predictors of Daily Smoking in Young Women: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Growth and Health Study

Background. Smoking is highly prevalent in young women and little is known about early multilevel independent risk or protective factors that are predictive of daily smoking in young women.Methods. Multiple logistic regression was conducted on data from NGHS, a 10-year cohort study of Black (1,213) and White (1,166) girls recruited from three clinical centers in the United States, ages 9–10 years on entry to ages 18–19.Results. Compared with never smokers, White girls were at higher risk than Black girls of being daily smokers at ages 18–19. Early predictors of daily smoking at ages 18–19 years included lower parental education, one parent in the household, drinking alcohol at ages 11–12, higher drive for thinness at ages 11–12, lower behavioral conduct at ages 11–12, and lower stress at ages 10–11 and higher stress at ages 12–13. For both Black and White girls weight-related variables were significant. Stress, behavioral conduct, and one-parent household were also important predictors for White girls.Conclusions. There is evidence that childhood and adolescent factors are related to young adult smoking behavior. Body weight concerns as well as family, social environment, and behavioral factors are important issues in determining which girls will become daily smokers.

THE IMPACT OF PRICES AND CONTROL POLICIES ON CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Smoking among youths and young adults rose throughout the 1990s. Numerous policies were enacted to try to reverse this trend. However, little is known about the impact these policies have on the smoking behavior of young adults. This article uses a dichotomous indicator of daily smoking participation in the past 30 days, an ordered measure representing the frequency of cigarette consumption, and a quasi‐continuous measure of the number of cigarettes smoked per day on average to examine the impact of cigarette prices, clean indoor air laws, and campus‐level smoking policies on the smoking behaviors of a 1997 cross section of college students. The results of the analysis indicate that higher cigarette prices are associated with lower smoking participation and lower levels of use among college student smokers. Local‐ and state‐level clean indoor air restrictions have a cumulative impact on the level of smoking by current smokers. Complete smoking bans on college campuses are associated with lower levels of smoking among current smokers but have no significant impact on smoking participation. Bans on cigarette advertising on campus as well as bans on the sale of cigarettes on campus have no significant effect on the smoking behavior of college students.