scholarly journals Cigarette smoking among university students aged 18–24 years in New Zealand: results of the first (baseline) of two national surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. e032590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Wamamili ◽  
Mark Wallace-Bell ◽  
Ann Richardson ◽  
Randolph C Grace ◽  
Pat Coope
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
University Students ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Daily Smoking ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
National Surveys

ObjectivesAlthough the smoking prevalence continues to decline in New Zealand (NZ) overall, little is known about smoking in university students. A 2013 survey of students aged 17–25 years found that 14% were current smokers, and 3% daily smokers. However, the sample did not include students from all NZ universities. This study examines the prevalence and patterns of cigarette smoking among students aged 18–24 years.SettingUniversity students across NZ.MethodsData came from a March to May 2018 survey of students from all NZ universities, and were weighted to account for undersampling and oversampling, based on gender and university size. χ2tests were used to compare smoking by age, gender and ethnicity.Participants1476 participants were included: 919 (62.3%) aged 18–20 years and 557 (37.7%) aged 21–24 years; 569 (38.6%) male and 907 (61.4%) female; and 117 (7.9%) Māori and 1359 (92.1%) non-Māori.Results49.8% (95% CI 47.2 to 52.4) of respondents reported ever smoking, 11.1% (95% CI 9.5 to 12.9) currently smoked (smoked at least once a month) and 5.9% (95% CI 4.8 to 7.3) smoked at least daily (daily smokers). Of current smokers, 63.6% smoked 1–5 cigarettes/day, 45.8% smoked daily, 73.4% smoked first cigarette >60 min after waking, 86.0% never/almost never smoked in indoor and 64.6% in outdoor smokefree spaces, 69.9% planned to quit and 32.4% had tried to quit. Ever, current and daily smoking were significantly higher in 21–24 compared with 18–20 years olds, and in males compared with females. Older participants were more likely to report smoking more cigarettes/day. Māori were more likely to report ever smoking than non-Māori.ConclusionsCurrent smoking among NZ university students aged 18–24 years appears to be declining but daily smoking could be increasing. However, many students appeared less addicted to nicotine, and willing to quit. We recommend increasing the availability of smokefree services for students who wish to quit.

scholarly journals Attitudes towards the New Zealand Government’s Smokefree 2025 goal associated with smoking and vaping in university students aged 18 to 24 years: results of a 2018 national cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e037362
Author(s):  
Ben Wamamili ◽  
Mark Wallace-Bell ◽  
Ann Richardson ◽  
Randolph C Grace ◽  
Pat Coope
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
University Students ◽  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Lower Odds

ObjectiveIn March 2011, New Zealand (NZ) launched an aspirational goal to reduce smoking prevalence to 5% or less by 2025 (Smokefree 2025 goal). Little is known about university students’ awareness of, support for and perceptions about this goal. We sought to narrow the knowledge gap.SettingUniversity students in NZ.MethodsWe analysed data from a 2018 cross-sectional survey of university students across NZ. Logistic regression analysis examined the associations between responses about the Smokefree goal with smoking and vaping, while controlling for age, sex and ethnicity. Confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported where appropriate.ParticipantsThe sample comprised 1476 students: 919 (62.3%) aged 18 to 20 and 557 (37.7%) aged 21 to 24 years; 569 (38.6%) male and 907 (61.4%) female; 117 (7.9%) Māori and 1359 (92.1%) non-Māori. Of these, 10.5% currently smoked (ie, smoked at least monthly) and 6.1% currently vaped (ie, used an e-cigarette or vaped at least once a month).ResultsOverall awareness of the Smokefree goal was 47.5% (95% CI: 44.9 to 50.1); support 96.9% (95% CI: 95.8 to 97.8); belief that it can be achieved 88.8% (95% CI: 86.8 to 90.7) and belief that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it 88.1% (95% CI: 86.0 to 89.9).Dual users of tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes had greater odds of being aware of the Smokefree goal (OR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.92), current smokers had lower odds of supporting it (OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.27) and of believing that it can be achieved (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.24) and current vapers had greater odds of believing that e-cigarettes/vaping can help to achieve it (OR=8.57, 95% CI: 1.18 to 62.52) compared with non-users.ConclusionsThe results suggest strong overall support for the Smokefree goal and belief that it can be achieved and that e-cigarettes/vaping can help achieve it. Smoking and vaping were associated with high awareness of the Smokefree goal, but lower support and optimism that it can be achieved.

scholarly journals Cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use among university students in Queensland, Australia and New Zealand: results of two cross-sectional surveys

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e041705
Author(s):  
Ben Wamamili ◽  
Sheleigh Lawler ◽  
Mark Wallace-Bell ◽  
Coral Gartner ◽  
David Sellars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
University Students ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Dual Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Free Spaces ◽  
And Gender

ObjectivesExamine the patterns of cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use (vaping), the perceived harm of e-cigarettes compared with tobacco cigarettes, and associations between smoking and vaping with student characteristics.DesignCross-sectional studies.SettingThe University of Queensland (UQ), Australia and eight New Zealand (NZ) universities.ParticipantsStudents at UQ: 4957 (70.8% aged <25 years, 63.0% women) and NZ: 1854 (82.5% aged <25 years, 60.1% women).MethodsΧ2 tests compared smoking by age and gender, and vaping by age, gender and smoking status. Two-sided p<0.05 was considered significant and 95% CIs reported where appropriate. Multinomial logistic regression examined associations between smoking and vaping (exclusive smoking, exclusive vaping, dual use and non-use) with age, gender and student type (domestic vs international).ResultsSmoking (UQ vs NZ, 95% CI): ever 45.2% (43.8% to 46.6%) vs 50.0% (47.7% to 52.3%), current 8.9% (8.1% to 9.7%) vs 10.4% (9.1% to 11.9%) and daily 5.2% (4.6% to 5.8%) vs 5.6% (4.6% to 6.7%), and not smoking in indoor 98.3% vs 87.7% or outdoor smoke-free spaces 83.8% vs 65.3%.Vaping (UQ vs NZ, 95% CI): ever 20.9% (19.8% to 22.1%) vs 37.6% (35.4% to 39.9%), current 1.8% (1.5% to 2.2%) vs 6.5% (5.4% to 7.7%) and daily 0.7% (0.5% to 1.0%) vs 2.5% (1.9% to 3.4%), and not vaping in indoor 91.4% vs 79.6% or outdoor smoke-free spaces 84.4% vs 71.3%. Of respondents, 71.7% (70.3% to 73.2%) vs 75.3% (72.9% to 77.6%) perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes.Men were more likely than women to smoke and vape, and to believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful. Regression models containing all predictors for smoking and vaping were significant and the effect of gender was significant for dual use, exclusive smoking and exclusive vaping (all p<0.01). Men had higher odds for smoking, vaping or dual use.ConclusionsResults suggest significant differences in patterns of smoking and vaping of university students in Australia and NZ, and a strong influence of gender on smoking and vaping.

PERSONALITY, DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AND SMOKING STATUS AMONG TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hikmet Yazici
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
University Students ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Current Smoking Status ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Predictive Variables ◽  
Smoking Behaviors ◽  
Turkish University Students

The association between the sociotropic/autonomic personality characteristics, depressive symptoms and cigarette-smoking status of 385 male and 241 female university students was examined. Depressive symptoms and sociotropic/autonomic personality were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (adapted for use in Turkey by Hisli [1998]) and the Sociotropy-Autonomy Scale (adapted for use in Turkey by Şahin, Ulusoy, & Şahin [1993]); smoking behaviors were also assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between sociotropic/autonomic personality characteristics, depressive symptoms and cigarette-smoking status. Current smokers showed a trend, scoring higher than nonsmokers on depressive symptoms, and they also scored significantly higher than nonsmokers on autonomy. Results also show that depressive symptoms (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.05–1.10), and autonomy (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03) were predictive variables of current smoking status.

scholarly journals Considerations related to vaping as a possible gateway into cigarette smoking: an analytical review

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1915
Author(s):  
Peter N. Lee ◽  
Katharine J. Coombs ◽  
Esther F. Afolalu
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
Precise Adjustment ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Analytical Review ◽  
Residual Confounding

Background: Toxicant levels are much lower in e-cigarettes than cigarettes. Therefore, introducing e-cigarettes into the market seems likely to reduce smoking-related diseases (SRD). However, vaping might provide a gateway into cigarette smoking for those who otherwise would never have smoked, a concern fueled by cohort studies showing vaping predicts subsequent smoking initiation in young people. Methods: In this discussion paper, we consider various aspects of the gateway issue in youths. We provide a descriptive critical review of results from prospective studies relating to the gateway effect and the extent to which the studies considered other potential confounding variables associated with smoking initiation.  We then estimate the effects of omitting a confounding variable, or misclassifying it, on the association between vaping and subsequent smoking initiation, and determine how the prevalence of smoking might be affected by any true gateway-in effects of vaping. Finally, we examine trends in e-cigarette and smoking prevalence in youths based on national surveys. Results:  First, we demonstrate that although studies report that vaping significantly predicts smoking initiation following adjustment for various other predictors, the sets of predictors considered are quite incomplete. Furthermore, no study considered residual confounding arising from inaccurate measurement of predictors. More precise adjustment may substantially reduce the association. Second, we show any true gateway effect would likely affect smoking prevalence only modestly. Third, we show smoking prevalence in U.S. and U.K. youths in 2014–2016 declined somewhat faster than predicted by the preceding trend; a substantial gateway effect suggests the opposite. Finally, we argue that even if some gateway effect exists, introducing e-cigarettes still likely reduces SRDs. Conclusions: We have shown that the existence of any true gateway-in effect in youth is not yet clearly demonstrated and that the population health impact of introducing e-cigarettes is still likely to be beneficial.

scholarly journals Association of Cigarette Use and Substance Use Disorders among US Adults with and without a Recent Diagnosis of Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
Joanna M. Streck ◽  
Maria A. Parker ◽  
Andrea H. Weinberger ◽  
Nancy A. Rigotti ◽  
Elyse R. Park
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Substance Use Disorders ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Current Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Current Cigarette ◽  
Status Interaction

Background: Few studies have examined substance use disorders (SUDs) in cancer patients and it is unclear whether SUDs differentially impact cigarette smoking in patients with vs. without cancer. This study used epidemiological data to estimate current cigarette smoking prevalence and quit ratios among US adults with and without SUDs by cancer status. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2015–2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (n = 170,111). Weighted current smoking prevalence and quit ratios were estimated across survey years by SUDs (with vs. without) and by cancer status (with vs. without). Results: Among those with cancer, current smoking prevalence was higher for those with vs. without SUDs (47% vs. 13%, p < 0.001) and quit ratios lower for those with vs. without SUDs (45% vs. 71%, p = 0.002). A similar pattern was observed in adults without cancer, with higher smoking prevalence (56% vs. 21%, p < 0.001) and lower quit ratios (23% vs. 51%, p < 0.001) observed for those with vs. without SUDs, respectively. In adjusted logistic regressions, the SUD × cancer status interaction was not significant for smoking prevalence or quit ratios (AOR = 1.2; 95% CI: 0.7, 2.1, p = 0.56; AOR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.5, 2.0, p = 0.91, respectively), though smoking prevalence was lower and quit ratios higher for adults with vs. without cancer (ps < 0.05). Conclusions: Among US adults with and without cancer, individuals with SUDs evidenced higher cigarette smoking and lower quit ratios than those without SUDs. Addressing SUDs and their impact on smoking cessation is critical in cancer patients with implications for improving health and treatment outcomes.

scholarly journals Initiation or cessation: what keeps the prevalence of smoking higher in Quebec than in the rest of Canada?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (10) ◽  
pp. 306-314
Author(s):  
Annie Pelekanakis ◽  
Jennifer L. O'Loughlin ◽  
Thierry Gagné ◽  
Cynthia Callard ◽  
Katherine L. Frohlich
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Canadian Community Health Survey ◽  
Current Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Current Smoking ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Community Health Survey ◽  
Current Cigarette ◽  
Canadian Provinces

Introduction We compared smoking initiation and cessation in Quebec versus the rest of Canada as possible underpinnings of the continued higher cigarette smoking prevalence in Quebec. Methods Data were drawn from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). We compared average and sex-stratified prevalence estimates of (1) current cigarette smoking in persons aged 15 years and older; (2) past-year initiation of cigarette smoking in those aged 12 to 17 and 18 to 24 years; and (3) past-year cessation in adults aged 25 years and older in Quebec versus the other nine Canadian provinces in each two-year CCHS cycle from 2007/08 to 2017/18. Results The prevalence of current smoking decreased from 25% to 18% among adults aged 15 years and older in Quebec from 2007/08 to 2017/18, and from 22% to 16% in the rest of Canada. Initiation among those aged 12 to 17 years decreased from 9% to 5% in Quebec, and from 7% to 3% in the rest of Canada. Neither initiation among people aged 18 to 24 (at 6% and 7%, respectively) nor cessation among adults aged 25 and older (approximately 8%) changed over time in Quebec or in the rest of Canada. In each two-year CCHS cycle, past-year initiation among those 12 to 17 years of age was consistently higher in Quebec than in the rest of Canada, but there were no substantial or sustained differences in initiation among people aged 18 to 24 or in past-year cessation. Findings were similar when stratified by sex. Conclusion Higher levels of smoking initiation among youth aged 12 to 17 years could be a proximal underpinning of the continuing higher prevalence of smoking in Quebec versus the rest of Canada.

scholarly journals Associations of mental illness with smoking and vaping in university students in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
B Wamamili ◽  
M Wallace-Bell ◽  
A Richardson ◽  
R C Grace ◽  
P Coope
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
University Students ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Condition ◽  
Daily Smoking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
New Information

Abstract Background People with mental illness have higher smoking prevalence, and vaping is generally higher among smokers than non-smokers. However, data on associations of mental illness with smoking and vaping in New Zealand (NZ) is lacking. This study examines associations of history of mental illness (HMI) with smoking and vaping in NZ university students. Methods Data came from a March 2018 national cross-sectional study. χ2 tests compared patterns of smoking and vaping in students with and without HMI. An HMI was defined as a diagnosis, or treatment for depression, anxiety or nervous disorder, or other mental health condition in the previous 12 months. Logistic regression model assessed the association of an HMI with smoking and vaping. Results 1622 students were included: 82.7% aged &lt;25 years, 17.3% ≥25 years; 38.6% male, 61.4% female; 7.8% Māori, 92.2% non-Māori; 18.1% reported an HMI. Of respondents, 50.5% (95% CI 48.0-53.0) reported ever, 10.0% (8.6-11.6) current and 5.0% (4.0-6.2) daily smoking. Students with HMI were significantly more likely to report ever (p&lt;.001), current (p=.008) and daily smoking (p=.014) than those without HMI. 36.7% (34.3-39.1) of students reported ever, 6.7% (5.5-8.0) current and 2.5% (1.8-3.4) daily vaping. Students with HMI were significantly more likely to report ever (p&lt;.001), current (p=.002) and daily vaping (p=.022) than those without HMI. The full model containing all predictors was statistically significant, χ2 (5, N = 1621) = 34.843, p &lt; .001. Female gender: OR 0.55 (0.41-0.73); current smoking: OR 1.76 (1.19-2.60), and current vaping: OR 2.07 (1.32-3.25) were significantly associated with an HMI. Conclusions There were strong associations between an HMI and smoking and vaping (controlling for age, gender, ethnicity). These findings extend earlier work on the relationship between smoking and mental illness by demonstrating similar associations in university students, and generate new information on HMI and vaping. Key messages Significant numbers of students may have an HMI. Students with an HMI have higher prevalence of smoking and vaping than students without an HMI.

scholarly journals Considerations related to vaping as a possible gateway into cigarette smoking: an analytical review

F1000Research ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1915
Author(s):  
Peter N. Lee ◽  
Katharine J. Coombs ◽  
Esther F. Afolalu
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoking ◽  
Smoking Prevalence ◽  
Smoking Initiation ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Discussion Paper ◽  
National Surveys ◽  
Precise Adjustment ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
Analytical Review ◽  
Residual Confounding

Background: Toxicant levels are much lower in e-cigarettes than cigarettes. Therefore, introducing e-cigarettes into the market seems likely to reduce smoking-related diseases (SRD). However, vaping might provide a gateway into cigarette smoking for those who otherwise would never have smoked, a concern fuelled by cohort studies showing vaping predicts subsequent smoking initiation in young people. Methods: In this discussion paper, we consider various aspects of the gateway issue in youths. We provide a descriptive critical review of results from prospective studies relating to the gateway effect and the extent to which the studies considered other potential confounding variables associated with smoking initiation. We then estimate the effects of omitting a confounding variable, or misclassifying it, on the association between vaping and subsequent smoking initiation, and determine how the prevalence of smoking might be affected by any true gateway effects of vaping. Finally, we examine trends in e-cigarette and smoking prevalence in youths based on national surveys. Results: First, we demonstrate that although studies report that vaping significantly predicts smoking initiation following adjustment for various other predictors, the sets of predictors considered are quite incomplete. Furthermore, no study considered residual confounding arising from inaccurate measurement of predictors. More precise adjustment may substantially reduce the association. Second, we show any true gateway effect would likely affect smoking prevalence only modestly. Third, we show smoking prevalence in U.S. and U.K. youths in 2014–2016 declined somewhat faster than predicted by the preceding trend; a substantial gateway effect suggests the opposite. Finally, we argue that even if some gateway effect exists, introducing e-cigarettes still likely reduces SRDs. Conclusions: Given that the existence of any true gateway effect in youth is not yet clearly demonstrated the population health impact of introducing e-cigarettes is still likely to be beneficial.

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