Oral disease risks regarding the use of tobacco arise not only from smoking but also from the oral use of tobacco in the form of snuff. Such diseases range from simple tooth decay to various forms of cancer. A fact list is suggested for presenting the risks to school-age youth. (JN)

Tested a strategy where didactic material on smoking and topics such as social approval, academic achievement, and career success were presented to an experimental college group. Results showed significant changes in responses to cognitive and attitudinal statements and nonsignificant but positive changes in smoker's motivation and behavior.…

Discusses findings from a series of national surveys by the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research. Findings indicated that cigarette use among American young people is declining sharply due, at least in part, to school anti-smoking campaigns and peer pressure to stop smoking. (DB)

The majority of the behavioral group therapy studies feature direct transfer of individually oriented procedures to a group of clients with similar problems. Methodological deficiencies include possible experimenter bias, unequal durations of experimenter attention, lack of adequate measurement tools, and too few follow-up evaluations. (Author)

In an attempt to develop appropriate health habits in early childhood, a program includes three comparative approaches. The first approach involves the use of a mobile unit. The traditional approach relies on a standard package designed to be used by the classroom teacher, and the third approach involves a combination of the original two. (JN)

A pre-post-test and a Solomon Three Group Design were used to assess the cigarette smoking attitudes of lower socioeconomic sixth grade students after exposure to a special health program. Students in this program developed more positive attitudes toward not smoking. Authors recommend further studies and implementation of special health programs.…

Uses a model of social identities to explore the incidence of cigarette smoking among adolescent girls. Found a sharp increase in girls' smoking at about 14 years of age related both to age and to puberty. The model identified "never smoked" and "regular smoker" groups but not occasional smokers. (RJM)

Reports a large-scale survey (N=1985) of 9- to 12-year-olds' representations of parents' and friends' views about the nature of smoking. Results indicate that young smokers have access to sets of beliefs about others' smoking views that may differ from those available to nonsmokers. Other results are reported. (RJM)

Reviews the literature on refusal and resistance skill (RRS) training. Evaluates RRS training across different target behaviors and outcomes and its efficacy in preventing tobacco use. Identifies factors that influence RRS training and discusses process variables. These include age and gender, media formats, and teacher-led versus peer-led…

Examined correlates and predictors of risk-taking behavior in a sample of 278 African American women to explore risk-taking related to HIV infection. Women in this sample engaged in risky behavior for HIV and other health risks, such as smoking and substance use, and risk was predicted by individual and peer-related factors. (SLD)

The Harlem Health Connection is a three-year project to develop and test smoking control interventions for African Americans, primarily those in Harlem (New York). Surveys of people from public housing, health care institutions, and churches found the highest smoking rates in public housing residents and people attending health care institutions.…

Examines school personnel smokers' reports on how they would feel if a no-smoking ban was instituted on school premises. Results show that the 59 respondents from 14 schools were interested in quitting smoking, but did not favor a policy prohibiting smoking on campus. Discusses smoking influences on students and other issues. (RJM)

Study looked to determine the strength of the relationship between smoking, depression, intention to smoke, and several psychosocial and environmental factors. Participants completed the Multiscore Depression Inventory (MDI) and items regarding smoking behavior. Analyses found that participants were more likely to smoke if parents smoked, if…

Explores the expectations of adolescents about their future cigarette, alcohol and illicit drug use. Results found that adolescents had unrealistic beliefs about future substance use. Very few non-users believed they would initiate illicit-drug use whilst current users believed they would continue to use. Many young people were uncertain about…

Employees of four manufacturing plants who were at risk because of high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking were periodically contacted by wellness counselors. Over a three-year period, seven strategies for behavior change were used. High blood pressure clients were most likely to begin risk reduction actions. Frequency of followup showed positive…