Data from the Monitoring the Future Project, a longitudinal national survey of 26,504 high school seniors with an 83% response rate were used to examine short-term health effects of cigarette smoking. The adverse respiratory and other effects of smoking increased with both the amount and duration of smoking and may indicate underlying mental…

Children (n=665, ages 12-15) with moderate learning difficulties or emotional and behavioral difficulties in the United Kingdom were interviewed concerning smoking behaviors, and 109 teachers completed questionnaires. Findings revealed that children with emotional and behavioral difficulties had high smoking rates, over 60% of subjects' parents…

Reports of a study of 288 undergraduate business and psychology students on their views about smoking policies at a fictitious medium-sized business. Finds that smoking status and attitudes toward smoking policy are strongly related. Suggests that the best policy would be to achieve a balance. (CFR)

Implemented program to decrease incidence of new smokers among black adolescents. Program combined school-based curriculum with comprehensive media intervention. There were two experimental conditions: one group participated in school-based intervention and was prompted to participate in multimedia intervention; other group had access to…

First grade teachers (n=313) completed a questionnaire during the first and second years of the Smoke-Free Class of 2000 project. Initially 64% of recipients used drug prevention education materials; 40% of first-year users did not maintain use 1 year later. Identified four scales predictive of initial and continued use that provide teacher…

Examines the role of increasing use and heavy first-time use of alcohol and cigarettes in multisubstance abuse patterns for 4,192 secondary school students surveyed 3 times over a 4-year period. A history of licit substance use with increasing use levels is likely to precede use of other substances. (SLD)

Cardiovascular risk factors in 57 healthy older individuals were measured (blood pressure, lipids and lipoproteins, and lifestyle behaviors) via a personal health questionnaire. Results indicated that, though the subjects were generally healthy, their lifestyle behaviors, particularly diet and physical activity, could be improved. (SM)

Montana's school tobacco referendum includes youth in decisions regarding tobacco and health, demonstrating peer disapproval of tobacco use. The referendum, which asked students whether vendors should refuse tobacco sales to minors, follows the example of the Bozeman, Montana, school district in which secondary students and staff supported tobacco…

Outlines public policy goals regarding substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancies, and violence. Concludes that the nation will continue to be high-risk until reforms are implemented that will equalize access to the opportunity structure. (DM)

Offers a partial listing of citations in the ERIC database on the history of drug use in the United States. Includes items concerning regional needs assessment, alcoholic students, and drug abuse. Suggests articles on efforts and legislation toward drug control, the status of drug education, and the controversies of drug testing. (DK)

Analyzed smoking intentions and peer group influences among 1,689 eighth grade students to ascertain possible gender-specific correlates in adolescent smoking intentions. Peer environment was found to be crucial factor in adolescent smoking behavior. Particularly striking for adolescent girls was firmness of their expressed intentions to continue…

Parents who smoke possess an adequate level of knowledge about smoking but still lack sufficient knowledge in crucial areas. Parents (n=60) expressed positive attitudes about their children and smoking and acknowledged their powerlessness to prevent their children from smoking. Discusses the study's limitations and offers recommendations. (RJM)

Smoking among young women is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes. Gender-specific influences on smoking, quitting, and attempting to quit were hypothesized and surveyed. More women than men currently smoke, but quitting attempts are equally common. Programs addressing issues of concern to young women smokers are needed. (AF)

A survey of 1,085 seventh and eleventh graders assessed the impact of parents, peers, siblings, advertising, and sponsorship as role models influencing attitudes toward smoking and smoking behavior. Results suggest that intervention programs need to address nicotine addiction and be in place before grade seven. (JOW)

Examines the use of peer-helping programs in minimizing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. Discusses results of a meta-analysis of school-based drug-prevention programs, false conclusions about peer programs' ineffectiveness, features of two model programs that compared peer leadership to teacher/researcher-led programs, and suggestions for…