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…

Examines the extent to which women's magazines with a strong interest in health covered various health hazards associated with smoking. Finds that six major women's magazines have virtually no coverage of smoking and cancer. Suggests that self-censorship may have helped determine editorial content more than pressure from tobacco companies. (RS)

Tobacco control policies and incidence of smoking were examined for 71 tribally controlled public sites, including tribal offices and buildings, work sites, health clinics, schools, and urban Indian centers. About two-thirds of sites had written tobacco policies; observations of indoor smoking were modestly related to the leniency or absence of…

Administered a survey testing knowledge regarding alcohol and tobacco to 702 randomly selected undergraduate students. Reports that the respondents had a greater grasp of the biological information of alcohol than they did of tobacco. (JRH)

Presents results of a descriptive study of lung cancer death rates compared to county levels of radon in Washington State. Age-specific death rates were computed for white female smokers according to radon exposure. A significant lung cancer excess was found in lowest radon counties. No significant difference was found between the proportion of…

Randomly assigned smokers (n=126) to six-session smoking cessation treatments consisting of skills training or support counseling strategies and nicotine gum or rapid smoking nicotine exposure strategies. Counseling and nicotine strategies were completely crossed; all four combinations resulted in equivalent one-year abstinence rates. Treatments…

Collected data on smoking attitudes and behaviors via interviews of representative sample of city residents, using four indicators of social class position. Regardless of indicator used, few attitudinal or behavioral differences between social classes were found. Results suggest that multifaceted approach to smoking prevention in Canada has…