Conference presentation
Occasional smoking campaigns: A missed opportunity
American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, 133rd (Philadelphia, United States, 2005)
American Public Health Association
2005
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts placed on tobacco prevention and cessation efforts, smoking rates are on the rise among college students. Recent research suggests occasional smoking is not risk free and that occasional smokers can actually be addicted. Occasional smoking is a transition stage, either towards quitting or uptake, and represents an opportunity for education. Survey data were collected from a random sample of students at a northeastern university in 2002 (N=937) regarding their perceptions of occasional versus regular smoking. While all groups believed the dangers of smoking were considerable and felt regular smokers were susceptible to these dangers, there was more disagreement among perceptions of occasional smoking. While there was general agreement among all groups that occasional smoking is bad for your health in the long term, there was less agreement that occasional smokers are susceptible to immediate negative consequences, a general belief that occasional smoking doesn't constitute "real" smoking and that it is easy to quit. Data were used to develop an occasional smoking print campaign (e.g., newspaper, table tents, posters). The campaign materials were refined and piloted in a series of focus groups before being launched in 2003. The campaign was evaluated in 2004 via another student survey (N=1247). Results suggest significant changes in beliefs about occasional smoking being bad for health, that occasional smokers can quit anytime, and the benefits of not smoking occasionally. In addition, during and after the campaign, requests to the student health center for quit kits doubled compared to pre-campaign requests.
Details
- Title
- Occasional smoking campaigns: A missed opportunity
- Authors
- S Campo (Author)D Caputo (Author)John B Lowe (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and EducationJ Talbot (Author)
- Conference details
- American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, 133rd (Philadelphia, United States, 2005)
- Publisher
- American Public Health Association
- Date published
- 2005
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449428802621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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