Compared smoking treatment programs using negative (recording number of cigarettes smoked) v positive (recording number of urges resisted) self-monitoring. Subjects demonstrated significant reduction in smoking frequency compared with no treatment. Findings were maintained at follow-up. Findings question the positive and negative labels used to…

Data from a survey of students who participated in the School Health Curriculum Project (SHCP) are analyzed to determine the effect of the SHCP on student smoking behavior three years after participating in the program. (JD)

While most Rotarians had realistic perceptions of the extent of their own drug use, there were discrepancies in their attitudes regarding the treatment they suggested for various drug users. Overall, illicit drug users were viewed less favorably than users of the legal drugs. (Author)

Findings of this study on the relationship between drug use and mental health include: (1) users of any one drug have a high probability of using other drugs; (2) drug use is related to psychiatric symptoms; and (3) the more kinds of drugs used, the worse the mental health of the user. (Author/RLV)

Two units of the School Based Health Education Project in Howard County, Indiana, have been revised. The Little Smoky unit on smoking for second graders stresses the effects of smoking on the body systems while the Counter Conscious unit examines the uses of over-the-counter substances. (JMF)

The current status of research in cardiovascular disease education is reported for asymptomatic youth, symptomatic adults, and ongoing efforts. (JMF)

Determines whether subliminal perception can be used as a means for altering cigarette smoking behavior. Smoking behavior was not altered through subliminal perception as carried out in this study. There was evidence that smoking behavior was altered, but it was an unpredicted change. Some subjects decreased smoking patterns. (Author)

Subjects (N=20) participated in a smoking-reduction program that attempted to assess the initial effectiveness of a rapid-smoking procedure administered to groups. Results are discussed in terms of self-set and the attribution of behavior change. (Author)

Provides evidence that self-esteem is associated with the likelihood of smoking among African-American children. Results based on a sample of 1,256 children indicate that those lowest in self-esteem, especially girls, were twice as likely to have ever smoked as those with the highest levels of self-esteem. (RJM)

Examines the alcohol and cigarette use patterns of adolescent and young adult female patients (N=246). Results indicate that smoking differences between Whites and Blacks was inversely related to education: less-educated Whites and more-educated Blacks had a greater smoking risk. Conclusions show females' differential needs regarding alcohol and…

Describes efforts to help teenagers stop smoking. Discusses the use of a curriculum titled Tobacco Free Teens in a stop-smoking group offered to students. The curriculum, an eight-session program with meetings of 50 minutes each, assists participants demonstrate increased knowledge of the benefits of quitting smoking. (RJM)

Data were collected via brief telephone surveys of middle school and high school teachers responsible for tobacco use prevention education (TUPE) in Florida. Differences in teachers' perceptions of TUPE were significantly associated with perceived barriers and features of school contexts. Implications of these findings for the effective delivery…

Examined associations between access to cigarettes and trial use of cigarettes. Early adolescents completed two smoking surveys 1 year apart. Trial smoking at time 2 was predicted from time 1 cigarette availability variables. Offers from friends/classmates were a significant cross-sectional predictor. Greater perceptions of ease of obtaining…

Study assessed the influence of group membership on the use of multiple substances among adolescents. Organized group activity included clubs and organizations, as well as athletic participation. Multiple substance included current use of any combination of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana. Group participation had a buffering effect on multiple…

Used data from a statewide sample of 5,870 eighth graders in California to examine the correlates of smoking prevalence estimates. Best friends' smoking accounted for the largest proportion of the variance in prevalence estimates. Smoking by peers may give adolescents the impression that smoking is more normative and prevalent than it actually is.…