NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Contrary to the image of the cigarette-smoking rebellious teenager, many adolescents are supportive of anti-tobacco policies, new study findings show. And, researchers suggest, the increasing number of anti-smoking ads may infl

``I think there is a lot of public health activity that is out there now and a lot of these efforts are focused on de-glamorizing cigarette smoking,'' study author Dr. Seth Emont, of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in Princeton, New Jersey, told Reuters Health. ``Kids don't react to the medical horror stories, but they really do react to the idea that cigarettes will not make them more glamorous and that cigarette companies are not on their side,'' co-author Emily Snell, RWJF research assistant, added in an interview. In fact, nearly 75% of youth ``(support) the funding of an anti-smoking campaign by tobacco firms,'' according to a national survey of 14- to 19-year-olds. Many of the adolescents also support policies that restrict access to cigarettes. More than three-quarters (76.2%) believe that individuals should be required to show proof of age when purchasing cigarettes, and roughly 70% believe that vending machine sales should end, the findings indicate. Similarly, the majority of teenagers surveyed (71%) agree that tobacco ads should be restricted in teen magazines and nearly 69% support keeping ads away from schools. ``Overall, nonsmokers were more supportive of restrictive anti-smoking policies,'' the researchers note. Such individuals--as well as those trying to stop smoking--are therefore more likely to agree with policies designed to help them avoid or quit smoking and that keep cigarettes out of their high schools and communities, Snell said. Yet, only 56% of the survey participants agreed that tobacco companies should not be allowed to sponsor sporting events and less than 50% supported the banning of logos or brands, findings show. Teenagers are generally more familiar with access restrictions than they are with advertising restrictions, Snell explained. As their familiarity with the latter increases, their support of logo banning, etc., may also increase, she suggested. There may also be a ``free speech issue'' involved, Snell added. Even if they do not support tobacco advertising, many of the youth may believe that tobacco companies ``have the right to express themselves,'' she said. ``Tracking adolescent opinion of tobacco control policies may assist in the development of future policy interventions,'' the authors report. The study findings were presented recently during the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association, held in Boston, Massachusetts.

<< Prev	CIGoutlet.NET News Home	Next >>