Eighth-graders' (N=1,513) responses to a smoking questionnaire and a self-esteem scale revealed that 15 percent currently smoked, with another 17 percent intending to smoke. Self-esteem and parental smoking behavior significantly influenced students' smoking behavior, as did family involvement in the tobacco industry. (Author/CB)

This study compared prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use among 123 adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) and 138 nondisabled students. Only tobacco and marijuana use was proportionally higher for adolescents with learning disabilities. Scores on the Adolescent Drinking Index were reliable predictors of marijuana use for LD…

Examined the relationship between maternal cigarette smoking during pregnancy and children's intellectual functioning through age four. Found that children whose mothers smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day during pregnancy had Stanford-Binet scores 4 points lower than those whose mothers did not smoke during pregnancy. (HTH)

The Latino population is one of the fastest growing populations in the United States, and the immigration-related stressors are many. Latino adolescents may be at special risk for emotional distress and substance abuse. This article reviews issues around emotional distress and use of alcohol and other drugs in Latino adolescents. (LKS)

Reports on the development and construct validation of two measures of high-risk sexual behavior for heterosexual adolescents. It was hypothesized that specific risky sexual behaviors would be interrelated, and that the cluster of high-risk sexual behaviors would be correlated with measures of other adolescent problem behaviors. Results provide…

Among 1,208 Puerto Rican women in Boston and Hartford responsible for adolescents, the age-adjusted prevalence of current smokers was 29.4%, higher than rates for all adult women. Nonsmoking status was associated with higher educational attainment, presence of a spouse or partner, and regular church attendance. (SV)

Presents four cartoons that take aim at the claims that the tobacco industry makes in its advertising. Focus is on smoking industry advertisements aimed at getting children and youth to buy and smoke cigarettes. They are intended to be shared with students to heighten their awareness of advertising ploys. (SLD)

Addresses the issue of providing an area for smokers in a child care facility. Because of the increased risks of respiratory diseases associated with exposure to tobacco smoke, a smoking area is not recommended. A clarification is also included concerning a recipe for sanitized play sand. (PAM)

Evaluates 3 1985-87 mass media campaigns designed to prevent smoking by adolescents, using data gathered by telephone contact with over 2,000 households. The campaigns had but a modest or indeterminate result. Radio proved as effective as television. (DM)

Assesses the effectiveness of a local antismoking contest in Bloomington (Minnesota) that was coordinated with a statewide campaign. Interviews were conducted with 218 local and 198 statewide participants. Finds that the local contest had a higher impact than the statewide contest. (FMW)

Reports a study that examined the interactive effects of smoking status and gender on shyness, sociability, loneliness, and hopelessness among 1,915 high school students in a Mississippi county. Results indicated smoking status significantly impacted with gender on each of the four psychosocial variables. Male smokers felt more lonely and hopeless…

College students (n=177) ranked influence they thought various factors had on their smoking behavior. Subjects ranked peers first and cigarette advertisements last as causes of starting to smoke; my decision and health education advertisements highest and peers lowest for quitting smoking. Findings suggest students perceived they had high degree…

Evaluated Pennsylvania Department of Education-sponsored training of members of core team Student Assistance Programs (SAPs). Compared student response averages from schools that had implemented core teams with those from matched schools without SAPs. Found that students in SAP schools were more likely to talk to friends about risks of smoking.…

Surveys of students representing diverse college campuses investigated differences between self-reported alcohol and drug-use frequency and perceptions of the frequency of use in relation to average students. Respondents typically misperceived peer norms, substantially overestimating how often students used substances, both on campuses where…

Study examines refusal skills developed by young people (N=743) who have not participated in a smoking-prevention program and sets out to identify issues relating to refusal or acceptance of cigarettes in the context of gender, self-perception, and refusal skills. Findings reemphasize the complexity of the process young people must undergo in…