Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, causing more than 400,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $50 billion in direct medical costs. This paper provides tips and resources to help communities undertake the necessary steps to reduce tobacco use. It includes a list of national…

Describes how the National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health can help a school in its fight against the smoking habit by (1) curriculum development and (2) teacher training. (Author/DN)

In the present study, the psychological and symptom reactions of children to second hand tobacco smoke were explored. (Author)

For the purposes of this study, a test-retest method of determining reliability was utilized. Results indicated that the instrument appears to be reliable in assessing attitudes-beliefs toward smoking. (Author)

This statement advocates that schools accept responsibility for providing smoking education programs and practices consistent with current information. Teachers, as well as all other school personnel who share in the education of children and youth, also have a role in educating about smoking and health. (Author)

Describes the psychological and social factors influencing smoking. Outlines some treatment approaches and the ramifications for mental health workers. (KH)

Applied an integrative model of change to the study of subjects (N=872) changing their smoking habits on their own. The subjects represented five stages of change: (1) precontemplation; (2) contemplation; (3) action; (4) maintenance; and (5) relapse. Relapsers' responses were a combination of contemplation and action. (JAC)

Assessed clinical applicability of behavioral treatment previously reported by Lando. Feasibility of reorienting nonabstinent smokers to maintained reduction was also assessed. Of subjects, 12 who completed treatment were abstinent at follow-up and 2 others were smoking substantially less than at baseline. Results suggest previous findings are…

Future smoking control programs should be directed at youngsters under the age of 16 before they take up the habit. (JD)

Argues that the social construction of the cigarette in divergent synecdochic forms or "representational ideographs" is based on varying degrees of narrative and scientific knowledge. Broadens the existing theoretical perspective derived from Kenneth Burke and Michael McGee to include Jean-Francois Lyotard's view of narrative and…

Survey responses from 8,634 seventh, eighth, and ninth graders in Pennsylvania (65%) found that 22% currently smoke; smokers are more likely to dislike school, have lower grades, think it acceptable to sell tobacco to minors, and be likely to smoke as adults; and nonsmokers were more likely to plan on college and believe second-hand smoke is…

Examined peer influence for 1,969 adolescents across 5 risk behaviors: smoking, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, tobacco chewing, and sexual debut. Results show that a random same-sex peer predicts a teen's risk behavior initiation through influence to initiate cigarette and marijuana use, and influence to initiate and stop alcohol and chewing…

Investigated gender and ethnic differences in smoking and smoking cessation among young adult military recruits. Surveys administered at the start of basic training indicated that whites (especially white females) and Native Americans were more likely to smoke than other ethnic groups. Gender differences were not observed in cessation rates, which…

Investigated the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and smoking-related, nonsmoking-related, and total cancer mortality, following 25,892 men age 30-87 years who had a preventive medical evaluation that included a maximal exercise test and self-reported health habits. Results indicated that cardiorespiratory fitness may have provided…