North Carolina tobacco farmers' changing perceptions of tobacco control and tobacco manufacturers.
OBJECTIVE
To examine tobacco farmers' attitudes toward tobacco control, public health, and tobacco manufacturers in order to determine the extent to which rapidly changing economic conditions have influenced North Carolina tobacco farmer attitudes in ways that may provide tobacco control advocates with new opportunities to promote tobacco control policies in tobacco-dependent US communities.


METHODS
We used data from a longitudinal sample of North Carolina tobacco farmers across 5 waves of data collection (1997-2005) (baseline N = 749 farmers). Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine changes in attitudes toward tobacco control and tobacco manufacturers, controlling for economic dependence on tobacco, and demographic factors.


RESULTS
Over the study period there was reduction in tobacco farmers' perceptions of threat from tobacco control initiatives.


CONCLUSIONS
These changes in attitude may signal an opportunity for successful tobacco control activity in traditionally tobacco-dependent states and rural communities.
Crankshaw
Erik C
EC
Public Health & Environment Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA. ecrankshaw@rti.org
Beach
Robert H
RH
Austin
W David
WD
Altman
David G
DG
Jones
Alison Snow
AS
D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D011634:Public Health; D014026:Nicotiana; D019460:Tobacco Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*