Changes in youth cigarette use following the dismantling of an antitobacco media campaign in Florida

Prev Chronic Dis. 2010 May;7(3):A65. Epub 2010 Apr 15.

Abstract

We examined the association of the termination of a successful youth-targeted antitobacco media campaign ("truth") and changes in smoking rates among youths aged 12-17 years in Florida. Six telephone-based surveys were completed during the active media campaign (1998-2001), and 2 postcampaign surveys were completed in 2004 and 2006 (each n approximately 1,800). Prevalence of current smoking among youth observed during the campaign continued to decrease in the first postcampaign survey; however, by the second follow-up survey, youth smoking rates had increased significantly for youth aged 16 years or older. Our findings support the need for consistent antitobacco messaging to reduce the prevalence of youth smoking.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Advertising*
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Smoking / trends*
  • Smoking Prevention