Price, tobacco control policies and smoking among young adults

Abstract Introduction The rapidly evolving landscape of vaping devices has complicated analyses of use patterns among youth and young adults. The current study describes the prevalence of use, substances vaped, and purchasing behaviors across five different vaping device categories. Aims and Methods Participants (n = 2505; mean age = 19.2, SD = 0.46) from a cohort in the Los Angeles area completed web-based surveys from June 2018 to October 2019. For each of four device type categories depicted via digital images (any pod-style vape, cigalike, box-mod, vape pen) and for JUUL specifically, participants reported ever and past 30-day use, substance vaped (mostly nicotine, nicotine and tetrahydrocannabinol [THC], mostly THC, neither), ownership of device (yes/no), where they obtained that device (eg, purchased themselves, from a friend), and if purchased, purchase location (eg, vape shop, online). Results Overall, 44.9% reported ever use, and 26.2% reported past 30-day use of at least one of the devices. The prevalence of past 30-day use was highest for pod-style vapes (any pod = 17.0%; JUUL = 15.1%). Among respondents who reported ever owning any device (n = 643 [25.7%]), 59.9% reported purchasing the device themselves, despite not being of legal purchasing age (15.4% of total sample); across all device types, products were most often purchased in vape shops or online. Conclusions Across all devices, the prevalence of self-purchase of vaping devices among underage young adults in the Los Angeles area was high, and most were purchased from a vape shop or online. Tobacco control policies to prevent underage purchase of tobacco products—particularly among never smokers—are needed. Implications A high proportion of underage young adults reported owning their own vaping device and having purchased it themselves from a vape shop or online. Stronger tobacco control policies and better enforcement efforts are needed to successfully prevent underage purchase of tobacco products.

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Price, Tobacco Control Policies and Smoking Among Young Adults

Tobacco and Health ◽

10.1007/978-1-4615-1907-2_219 ◽

1995 ◽

pp. 953-954

Author(s):

Frank J. Chaloupka ◽

Henry Wechsler

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Tobacco Control ◽

Control Policies ◽

Tobacco Control Policies

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Price, Tobacco Control Policies and Smoking Among Young Adults

10.3386/w5012 ◽

1995 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Frank Chaloupka ◽

Henry Wechsler

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Tobacco Control ◽

Control Policies ◽

Tobacco Control Policies

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Targeted Truth: An Experiment Testing the Efficacy of Counterindustry Tobacco Advertisements Targeted to Black Individuals and Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals

Nicotine & Tobacco Research ◽

10.1093/ntr/ntab032 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Chris Skurka ◽

Christopher W Wheldon ◽

Nicholas Eng

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Tobacco Control ◽

The United States ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Control Policies ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Tobacco Control Policies ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Truth Campaign

Abstract Introduction Some groups disproportionately suffer from tobacco-related illnesses—in part, because the tobacco industry has strategically targeted these groups. To combat industry targeting, antitobacco media campaigns (eg, the truth campaign) have used analogous messaging strategies, describing the industry’s targeted marketing practices to reach these vulnerable groups. We tested the efficacy of counterindustry tobacco advertisements targeted to vulnerable groups (Black individuals and sexual and gender minority [SGM] individuals). Aims and Methods From March to July 2020, we recruited N = 1161 young adults in the United States, including n = 430 Black young adults and n = 452 SGM young adults (with n = 108 identifying as Black and SGM). In a web-based, between-subjects experiment, participants were randomized to watch one of four types of advertisement (“ad”): (1) ads from the truth antismoking campaign not targeted toward a specific vulnerable group, (2) Black-targeted truth ads, (3) SGM-targeted truth ads, or (4) unrelated control ads. We examined effects on support for tobacco control policies, counterindustry motivation, counterindustry beliefs, perceived effectiveness, and anger toward the industry. Results Relative to control, non-targeted ads increased policy support, and Black-targeted ads increased motivation and beliefs. Targeted ads elicited anger regardless of the audience targeted. However, in general, neither Black identity nor SGM identity moderated the effects of the targeted ads. Conclusions We offer little evidence that targeted counterindustry ads are especially influential for their intended group. However, targeted counterindustry appeals may be successful at evoking industry anger regardless of the audience targeted. Implications Counterindustry advertisements from the truth campaign targeting Black individuals and SGM individuals had limited effect on tobacco control policies, counterindustry motivation, and counterindustry beliefs. However, counterindustry ads evoked anger toward the industry regardless of ingroup status, which in turn was positively associated with anti-industry outcomes. These results, considered alongside the extant literature, suggest little benefit to developing targeted counterindustry tobacco campaigns for specific groups and instead point to the utility of developing campaigns that appeal to broader audiences.

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