Recent study to examine trends of youth tobacco use

Amidst nationwide debate about tobacco, a new study conducted at the University's School of Public Health has received a $500,000 grant to examine current trends in youth tobacco use.

"Basically, we're trying to understand why some kids smoke and some don't," said Public Health Prof. Peter Jacobson.

Jacobson will conduct research with health management and policy Prof. Kenneth Warner.

"I'm focusing on children because I think that in the long run if we can discourage kids from smoking, we can reduce smoking in the country," Jacobson said.

The study also will address how to reduce the use of tobacco products by children.

PAUL TALANIAN/Daily A clerk at OAZA convenience store on East University Avenue checks a customer's identification. Under Michigan state law, anyone under 18 years old may not purchase tobacco products.

"We think that from a public health perspective, we need to do a better job of preventing youth smoking," Jacobson said.

Jacobson said he plans to pursue government intervention through policy changes by doing interviews with other tobacco-control advocates, health care personnel and policy makers.

"If we can make a difference through this project, it will be worth the effort," Jacobson said. "Anything we can do to reduce youth smoking is good."

One way to prevent children from smoking may be to get their role models, especially their parents, to quit smoking, Jacobson said.

"We're also thinking about seeing if any youth smoking cessation programs work," Jacobson said. "We want to find out what kinds of interventions are being tried.

"I want to reassess whether we're using the right tactics or whether there are other alternatives that we might consider," Jacobson said.

Each day, 3,000 children try their first cigarette, Jacobson said.

The number of minors experimenting with tobacco is still increasing.

LSA sophomore Ryan Ismirle said he has never smoked but that many of his friends started smoking because they thought it was "cool".

"I think what's happening is kids are smoking at younger ages," Jacobson said.

"Not many people start smoking at (age) 20 or after," he said.

LSA junior Cyn Epler said she began smoking when she was about 15 years old.

"I wanted to try it - it wasn't peer pressure," Epler said.

"Unfortunately, I enjoyed it way too much when I started out," she said.

Epler still smokes today, but said she plans to quit soon because "it's too expensive and it's not a habit you want to keep for the rest of your life."

Jacobson said he wants to find ways to limit the availability of tobacco to minors.

"The local government should be able to license cigarette vendors and remove their license if they sell to kids," Jacobson said.

Jacobson added that if researchers are serious about determining the causes of youth tobacco use, they must find innovative ways to approach the problem of underage smoking.

I want to "find ways to put pressure on the tobacco industry," Jacobson said.

"If we keep at it, they'll have to respond," he said.

Johnson said he believes his research will be well-received by members of the medical community.

"In general, I'll get considerable support," Jacobson said.

"The opposition will come from researchers who believe focusing on children is a bad idea," he said.

02-19-98