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Cigarette access and pupil smoking rates: a circular relationship?
Katrina M Turner1, Jacki Gordon, Robert Young
1The Glasgow Centre for the Child & Society, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. k.turner@socsci.gla.ac.uk
Health Promotion International
|November 3, 2004
Summary
Peer smoking rates significantly influence adolescent cigarette access. Higher peer smoking leads to greater availability, creating a cycle of increased adolescent smoking and easier access to tobacco products.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Tobacco Control
Background:
- Adolescent smoking is a significant public health concern.
- Research has explored commercial access to cigarettes but less so the impact of peer smoking rates on availability.
- Understanding social sources of cigarettes is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between peer smoking prevalence and cigarette accessibility among adolescents.
- To compare cigarette access in schools with differing rates of adolescent smoking.
- To explore the role of social sources, particularly the 'peer market,' in adolescent smoking.
Main Methods:
- Survey of 896 13- and 15-year-old pupils in two Scottish schools with different smoking rates.
- Qualitative data collection through 25 single-sex discussion groups with 13-year-olds.
- Assessment of both commercial and social sources of cigarette procurement.
Main Results:
- Adolescents sourced cigarettes from shops, food vans, and peers in both schools.
- Pupils in the high-smoking school reported greater perceived access to commercial and social sources.
- An active 'peer market' for cigarettes was identified in the high-smoking school.
Conclusions:
- Variations in cigarette accessibility may explain differences in school smoking rates.
- The relationship between cigarette access and adolescent smoking is likely circular.
- Higher availability of cigarettes can increase smoking rates, while higher smoking rates can enhance access.