Longitudinal Effects of Pro-Tobacco and Anti-Tobacco Messages on Adolescent Smoking Susceptibility
Document Type
Article
Department
Community and Global Health (CGU)
Publication Date
6-2006
Disciplines
Health Communication | Mass Communication | Public Health Education and Promotion | Substance Abuse and Addiction | Television
Abstract
We examined the longitudinal impact of self-reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media on adolescents' susceptibility to smoking, using in-school surveys from a culturally diverse sample. Ethnicity and acculturation also were examined as potential moderators. Middle-school students (N=2,292) completed self-report questionnaires during the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Chi-square analyses were conducted to determine whether reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media varied according to ethnicity, acculturation, and immigration status. Logistic regression models were used to examine whether pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure in 6th grade was associated with susceptibility to smoking by later grades. Recall of people smoking in television programs and pro-tobacco advertisements in stores was associated with adolescent smoking susceptibility. Exposure to anti-tobacco advertisements on television protected against susceptibility. No significant interaction effects between pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure on smoking susceptibility were found. Ethnicity and acculturation did not moderate these associations. Our longitudinal study provides evidence that pro-tobacco media and advertising increases susceptibility to smoking over time. More important, anti-tobacco advertisements are not sufficient to reduce the harmful effects of adolescent exposure to pro-tobacco media. Policy-level interventions such as restrictions in tobacco advertising may be necessary to prevent adolescent smoking.
Rights Information
© 2006 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
DOI
10.1080/14622200600670454
Recommended Citation
Weiss, J.W., Cen, S., Schuster, D.V. Unger, J.B., Johnson, C.A., Mouttapa, M.. Schreiner, W.S., Cruz, T.B. Longitudinal effects of pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco messages on adolescent smoking susceptibility. Nicotine Tob Res, 8(3): 455-465, 2006.
