title: Teenagers' use of tobacco and their perceptions of tobacco control initiatives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tobacco use leads to more deaths each year than any other single factor. This research examined teenagers' perceptions of anti-tobacco messages to determine which campaigns and educational approaches were most effective in preventing tobacco use among youth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Students from five rural high schools in western Pennsylvania were included in this survey-based study (N = 204).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 30% of the study population reported current tobacco use. Tobacco users held more negative perceptions of anti-tobacco messages than non-users. A majority of students held supportive views about anti-tobacco education programs that were facilitated by peer leaders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Existing anti-tobacco campaigns and education are essential components of tobacco control initiatives. Students' perspectives provide novel insights that educators and campaign designers should consider as they develop anti-tobacco programs.
authors.affiliation: Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, USA. hannah.brewer@iup.edu
authors.forename: Hannah J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Keri S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kulik
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klingaman
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deutschlander
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Black
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010414:Pennsylvania; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult