Learning Objectives: Identify similarities and differences between young adult (18-24 years) and older adult (25+ years) smokers in designing smoking cessation interventions tailored for young adult smokers.
Abstract:
Problem/Objective:Smoking cessation at a younger age can substantially reduce the harmful health consequences of tobacco use but it is unclear if the plethora of information about smoking cessation among adults is also applicable for young adults to best allocate limited resources to promote their smoking cessation.
Methods:A state-wide random digit dialing telephone survey among 7,049 respondents (whites 61%, Hispanics 25%, blacks 8%; females 60%) on tobacco use habits in Texas in fall 2002 identified 298 young adults and 1,048 older adults as regular smokers.
Results:There were more Hispanics and less whites among young adult smokers than among older smokers (p<0.05). As many as 98% in both groups had made their last quit attempt on their own. Only 10% of young adults used any nicotine replacement products while the use among older adults was 27% (p<0.001). Although young adults smoked few cigarettes (M=12) than older smokers (M=17) (p<0.001) readiness to change was the same in the two groups; 39% were in the precontemplation, 36% in contemplation, and 25% in preparation stages. Both age groups used smokeless tobacco (4%) equally. A community-based anti-smoking media campaign reached young adults significantly (p<0.01) better.
Conclusions:These data showed that differences between young adults and older smokers are not substantial, allowing the use of similar cessation measures across different age groups.
Back to Poster Session
Back to Cessation, Nicotine, and the Science of Addiction
Back to The 2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health (December 10-12, 2003)