title: Longitudinal effects of pro-tobacco and anti-tobacco messages on adolescent smoking susceptibility.
abstract: We examined the longitudinal impact of self-reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media on adolescents' susceptibility to smoking, using in-school surveys from a culturally diverse sample. Ethnicity and acculturation also were examined as potential moderators. Middle-school students (N = 2,292) completed self-report questionnaires during the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Chi-square analyses were conducted to determine whether reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media varied according to ethnicity, acculturation, and immigration status. Logistic regression models were used to examine whether pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure in 6th grade was associated with susceptibility to smoking by later grades. Recall of people smoking in television programs and pro-tobacco advertisements in stores was associated with adolescent smoking susceptibility. Exposure to anti-tobacco advertisements on television protected against susceptibility. No significant interaction effects between pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure on smoking susceptibility were found. Ethnicity and acculturation did not moderate these associations. Our longitudinal study provides evidence that pro-tobacco media and advertising increases susceptibility to smoking over time. More important, anti-tobacco advertisements are not sufficient to reduce the harmful effects of adolescent exposure to pro-tobacco media. Policy-level interventions such as restrictions in tobacco advertising may be necessary to prevent adolescent smoking.
authors.affiliation: Division of Kinesiology and Health Science, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA. jweiss@fullerton.edu
authors.forename: Jie Wu
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cen
authors.forename: Darleen V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Jennifer B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: C Anderson
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mouttapa
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Schreiner
authors.forename: Tess Boley
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000329:Advertising / Q000379:methods*; D002140:California; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D012107:Research Design; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000379:methods