Main drivers of tobacco consumption among adolescents: the case of Kyrgyzstan

Tobacco smoking among youth is a global concern. Tobacco's dangers and the probability of addiction are often underestimated by young people. Preventing tobacco consumption among youth is critical since tobacco-related illnesses will take away the lives of 250 million young people who continue to smoke into adulthood. Youth are more vulnerable to nicotine and may become addicted to it quicker than adults. Even though they decide to stop in a few years, three out of four teen smokers continue to smoke into adulthood due to nicotine addiction. The main purpose of this study is to investigate tobacco consumption of adolescents in Kyrgyzstan. For this aim, a school-based survey of students aged 13-15 years was utilized. Global Youth Tobacco Survey was conducted in 2019. The questionnaire consists of 56 questions. This survey was conducted in order to get knowledge about adolescents’ attitudes about smoking. In the empirical analysis was employed Heckman selection model. In the light of obtained results it can be concluded that the main drivers of tobacco consumption among adolescents are age, gender, amount of spending money, parental smoking status, among others. The results indicate that tobacco consumption is higher among males. Parents smoking habit leads to a higher probability of an adolescents to become a smoker. The outcomes from this study may provide some insights into the policies implemented to lessen smoking among adolescents.

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Immunotherapeutic efficacy in NSCLC and patients’ smoking status: A meta-analysis.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e20510 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e20510-e20510

Author(s):

Shanshan Wang ◽

Guoqiang Wang ◽

Yu Xu ◽

Shangli Cai ◽

Jianping Xiong

Keyword(s):

Standard Treatment ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Tobacco Consumption ◽

Smoking History ◽

Mutational Burden ◽

The Difference ◽

Nsclc Patients

e20510 Background: In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), tumour mutational burden (TMB) has been validated in predicting the clinical benefit of immunotherapy. Smoke, delivering the carcinogens that form covalently bound DNA adducts into respiratory system, is the critical cause of miscoding events and mutational burden in NSCLC. However, the predictive potential of tobacco consumption in immunotherapy remains controversial. Here, we did a meta-analysis to assess the heterogeneity of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in NSCLC patients with or without smoking habit. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, the Cochrane Central library and Embase, for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ICIs (inhibitors of PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, or combination) in NSCLC. The studies were excluded due to the unpublished hazard ratio (HR) for both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) according to smoking status. Pooled estimates of survival HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) in smokers and non-smokers were performed using a random-effects model, and the heterogeneity between the two estimates was assessed using an interaction test by Review Manager. Results: In total, 13 eligible RCTs of FDA-approved ICIs (concerning ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab, and avelumab) containing 8154 patients with NSCLC (6800 [83.4%] smokers and 1354 [16.6%] non-smokers) were included for analysis. Compared to standard treatment, a prolonged PFS was observed in smokers treated with ICIs (pooled HR, 0.72, 95% CI 0.63-0.81, P < 0·001) instead of non-smokers (pooled HR, 0.98, 95% CI 0.73-1.31, P = 0·90). The pooled HR of OS between immunotherapy and standard treatment was 0.77 (95% CI 0.69-0.86, P < 0·001) in smokers and 0.78 (95%CI 0.59-1.02, P = 0·07) in non-smokers. Similar results were observed among sub-groups according to the different histology (squamous and non-squamous), class of ICIs (anti-PD-1 or PD-L1) and lines of treatment (first-line or subsequent). The difference in efficacy between smokers and non-smokers treated with ICIs was also significant (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.62-0.92, P = 0·005). Conclusions: ICIs can improve PFS and OS for patients with advanced NSCLC, but the magnitude of benefit depends on smoking history, especially for PFS. Future clinical trials are supposed to include more non-smokers and concentrate on enhancing the efficacy of ICIs in the NSCLC patients without cigarette consumption, possibly discovering distinctive immunotherapeutic approaches in smokers and non-smokers.

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Bribery in subsidized credit markets: evidence from Bangladesh

Indian Growth and Development Review ◽

10.1108/igdr-11-2011-0042 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 61-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emmanuel Dechenaux ◽

Aaron Lowen ◽

Andrew Samuel

Keyword(s):

Credit Markets ◽

Theoretical Models ◽

Heckman Selection Model ◽

Data Set ◽

Content Type ◽

Microfinance Institution ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Empirical Analysis ◽

Heckman Selection

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to study the role of bribery in subsidized credit markets in developing countries. First, the authors use the data to test whether more productive borrowers will pay larger or smaller bribes since the theoretical literature offers conflicting findings regarding the relationship between the size of the bribe and the productivity of borrowers. Second, the authors test whether being eligible to borrow from a microfinance institution affects the frequency or the magnitude of the bribe paid when borrowing from a (non-microfinance) subsidized bank. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical analysis is based on existing theoretical models of bribery. The data set uses publicly available survey data from the Bangladesh Institute for Development Studies. The primary linear model is estimated using OLS. Because left-censoring affects the data, the authors also estimate a Tobit model. Finally, to correct for potential selection bias, the authors also estimate a Heckman selection model. Findings – The authors find that more productive borrowers pay lower bribes than less productive borrowers and that being MFI-eligible affects the frequency of bribery, but not the magnitude of the bribe. Originality/value – To the authors' knowledge, the paper is the first empirical study of bribery in subsidized credit markets.

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Indonesian adolescents’ perspectives on smoking habits: a qualitative study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10090-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fithria Fithria ◽

Muhammad Adlim ◽

Syarifah Rauzatul Jannah ◽

Teuku Tahlil

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Junior High School ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Smoking Habit ◽

Peer Pressure ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Smoking Prevention ◽

Smoking Habits ◽

Related Factors ◽

Effective Prevention

Abstract Background The prevalence of smoking among adolescents is high in Indonesia. Therefore, this qualitative research aimed to explore the perspectives of Muslim adolescents on smoking habits as a reference for developing effective prevention programs. Methods Three focus group discussions involving 24 junior high school male students (mean age = 13.75 years) were the main source of data for this phenomenological qualitative study. The discussion guide was developed by the researchers based on the reviewed literature and validated by experts. The research findings were analyzed using an inductive content analysis with systematic steps based on the stages of qualitative data analysis. Results Adolescent perspectives on smoking were grouped into two themes: perception of smoking and smoking-related factors. The perception of smoking encompassed three sub-themes: smoking as a social habit, contradictive feelings, and the Islamic perspective. The smoking-related factors included peer pressure, the parents’ smoking status, masculinity and curiosity. The results indicated that adolescents consider smoking as a social habit but with contradictory feelings. The smoking habit was also stimulated by peer pressure, imitating parents who smoke, feeling masculine and curiosity. Conclusion We suggest that health professionals who are interested in developing smoking prevention programs in Indonesia should consider the adolescent perspective on smoking so that the prevention program will be more effective and appropriate for adolescents.

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E-cigarettes from the perspective of teenagers – results of focus studies

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.1006 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

K Pluta ◽

Ł Balwicki

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Electronic Cigarettes ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Risky Behaviors ◽

Tobacco Prevention ◽

Tobacco Products ◽

Traditional Tobacco ◽

The Impact ◽

Natural Way

Abstract Research shows that over 80% of smokers start their habit under the age of 18. A few years ago young people undertook risky behaviors related to nicotine initiation mainly by smoking cigarettes. Today, next to traditional tobacco products, electronic cigarettes are becoming more and more popular. Due to the prevalence of new forms of nicotine addiction, modification of anti-tobacco prevention programs is required. The purpose of the research was exploration - learning the opinions and attitudes of young people towards e-cigarettes. The qualitative study was conducted using the FGI method (focus group interview). The meetings were modereted by specially trained psychologists. 48 students participated in the meetings of six focus groups, divided by gender and smoking status (smokers/non-smokers). The participants are young people aged 15-19, attending high schools in Warsaw, Kielce and Lublin. In conversations, young people emphasized the impact of e-cigarettes in smoking initiation - it usually occurs at the age of 12-14. E-cigarettes are perceived as cigarettes “for younger”, non-addictive, less serious, providing more entertainment. 'Cloud chasing' is particularly popular. They perform social functions - they are helpful in establishing relationships. Teenagers do not see the harmfulness of e-cigarettes. Participants mentioned their advantages over traditional tobacco products - they can be smoked everywhere and do not leave an unpleasant smell. Some of the respondents admit to the simultaneous use of electronic and traditional cigarettes. Moreover, many parents allow children to smoke electronic cigarettes. Vaping have become a natural way to relaxation and socialization for adolescents. E-cigarettes do not have such a negative connotation as traditional tobacco products. Young people do not see them as harmful, which is a challenge for effective preventive measures. Key messages Adolescents do not see e-cigarettes as harmful, which is a challenge for effective preventive measures. Vaping have become more and more popular - it's natural way to relaxation and socialization for young people.

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Objective Measures to Assess Active Commuting Physical Activity to School in Young People: A Systematic Review Protocol and Practical Considerations

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17165936 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (16) ◽

pp. 5936

Author(s):

Pablo Campos-Garzón ◽

Javier Sevil-Serrano ◽

Yaira Barranco-Ruíz ◽

Palma Chillón

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Young People ◽

Web Of Science ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Objective Measures ◽

Active Commuting ◽

School Based ◽

Review Protocol

There are no systematic reviews that have identified the existing studies assessing active commuting physical activity (PA) to and from (to/from) school using objective measures, as well as the contribution of both walking and cycling to/from school to PA levels. To fill this gap in the literature, this systematic review will aim (a) to identify existing studies that assess active commuting PA to/from school with objective measures in young people and to examine the contribution of walking and cycling to/from school to PA levels, and (b) to propose an appropriate methodology and practical considerations to assess active commuting PA to/from school based on the studies identified. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020162004). We will conduct a systematic search up to 2020 in five databases: PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTdiscuss, Cochrane Library, and National Transportation Library. Both the risk of bias and the quality of the identified studies will be evaluated through different instruments according to the design of each study. This systematic review will help to choose the most appropriate objective measures to assess active commuting PA to/from school and to promote walking and cycling to/from school to increase PA levels.

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‘I don’t want to go to a crummy little university’: social class, higher education choice and the paradox of widening participation

Improving Schools ◽

10.1177/1365480209348819 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 209-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Tina Byrom

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Social Class ◽

Young People ◽

Working Class ◽

Summer School ◽

Widening Participation ◽

Education Choice ◽

School Based ◽

Institutional Habitus ◽

Participation In Higher Education

Whilst there has been growing attention paid to the imbalance of Higher Education (HE) applications according to social class, insufficient attention has been paid to the successful minority of working-class young people who do secure places in some of the UK’s leading HE institutions. In particular, the influence and nature of pre-university interventions on such students’ choice of institution has been under-explored. Data from an ESRC-funded PhD study of 16 young people who participated in a Sutton Trust Summer School are used to illustrate how the effects of a school-based institutional habitus and directed intervention programmes can be instrumental in guiding student choices and decisions relating to participation in Higher Education.

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