The relationship between snus use and smoking cognitions
Elisabeth Larsen1, Jostein Rise, Karl Erik Lund
1Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research , PO Box 565 Sentrum, 0105 Oslo , Norway.
Addiction Research & Theory
|December 4, 2012
Summary
Snus initiation may increase adolescents' expectations that smoking reduces negative feelings, potentially leading to smoking. However, snus use does not significantly alter most other smoking-related beliefs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Adolescent snus use is a growing public health concern.
- Understanding the relationship between snus and smoking initiation is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if snus use influences adolescent smoking expectancies and perceptions.
- To identify potential causal pathways linking snus use to smoking initiation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal telephone survey of Norwegian adolescents (2006-2007).
- Compared smoking cognitions in four groups: snus initiators, regular snus users, non-users, and regular smokers.
- Utilized Wilcoxon tests to analyze changes in cognitions over one year.
Main Results:
- Snus initiators reported increased expectancies of smoking for negative affect reduction.
- Regular smokers exhibited positive smoking cognitions with significant changes over time.
- No significant changes in smoking cognitions were observed in regular snus users or non-users.
Conclusions:
- Snus uptake may foster beliefs that facilitate smoking initiation.
- Snus use does not appear to impact most cognitions that promote adolescent smoking.
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