Targeting Tobacco Use Research Articles

Differences between intermittent and light daily smokers in a population of U.S. military recruits.

Few studies have assessed differences between intermittent and light smokers, particularly among young adults. Exploring these differences promotes a systematic approach to research and treatment in low-level smokers. This study explored demographic, tobacco-related, and psychosocial predictors of intermittent nondaily smoking relative to light smoking among basic military training (BMT) recruits. The impact of smoking status on abstinence rates at follow-up was also assessed. Participants were 5,603 U.S. Air Force BMT intermittent nondaily (n = 3,134) or light daily (n = 2,469) smoking recruits participating in a population-based group randomized trial targeting tobacco use prevention and cessation (Klesges et al., 2006, Efficacy of a tailored tobacco control program on long-term use in a population of U.S. military troops. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 295-306.). Participants completed baseline measures assessing demographics; tobacco use and history; and common social, attitudinal, and behavioral risk factors for tobacco use. Flights of recruits were randomly assigned to a tobacco use intervention or health education control intervention. At the 1-year follow-up, participants reported 7-day point prevalence and continuous abstinence. Intermittent nondaily smoking relative to light daily smoking was associated with lesser perceived addiction, intermittent and daily use of smokeless tobacco, nonsmoking male and female heads of household, lesser likelihood of smoking while stressed or while bored, and higher likelihood of intentions to quit smoking. Intermittent smokers were significantly more likely than light daily smokers to report abstinence at follow-up. Intermittent and daily light smokers differ on several tobacco-related and psychosocial variables. Attending to these factors in prevention and cessation programs may enhance abstinence in both groups.

Work Experiences and Tobacco Use: Findings From the Gear Up for Health Study

To examine the relationships between the work environment and amount smoked, intention to quit, and participation in a health promotion intervention. Cross-sectional data were collected from unionized truck drivers and dockworkers (N = 542; response rate = 78%) employed in eight trucking terminals as part of a larger intervention study targeting tobacco use cessation and weight management. Prevalence of tobacco use was 40% (n = 216). Multivariable analyses of amount smoked and coworker norms encouraging cessation found significant associations with intention to quit and negative social consequences of tobacco use. Program participation was significantly associated with concern about job exposures, working the day shift, and intention to quit. Work experiences represented in the social contextual model may help explain how the work environment affects tobacco-use behaviors and interest in quitting, and maybe guide interventions among blue-collar workers.

Longitudinal Retention of Families in the Assessment of a Prevention Program Targeting Adolescent Alcohol and Tobacco Use

This study examined the association between ecological context (extrafamilial, familial, child factors) at baseline and longitudinal retention of families in the 36-month assessment of an adolescent alcohol and tobacco use prevention program that was conducted within a pediatric primary care setting. A total of 1,780 families were enrolled at baseline when the youth were in the fifth and sixth grades, and 1,220 of these families participated in the 36-month assessment. Findings indicated that familial and child, but not extrafamilial, factors were associated with the participation of families in the 36-month assessment. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.