Skip Navigation


Nicotine & Tobacco Research Advance Access originally published online on May 27, 2009
Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2009 11(7):842-846; doi:10.1093/ntr/ntp074
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Article Summary
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
11/7/842    most recent
ntp074v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Terchek, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by Frank, S. H.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Terchek, J. J.
Right arrow Articles by Frank, S. H.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Measuring cigar use in adolescents: Inclusion of a brand-specific item

Joshua J. Terchek, Elizabeth M. G. Larkin, Margaret L. Male and Scott H. Frank

Joshua J. Terchek, B.A., Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Elizabeth M. G. Larkin, M.S., Center for Adolescent Health, Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Margaret L. Male, M.P.H., Center for Clinical Investigation, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
Scott H. Frank, M.D., Division of Public Health, Master of Public Health Program, Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH

Corresponding Author: Joshua J. Terchek, B.A., Department of Family Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945, USA. Telephone: 216-702-6146; Fax: 216-368-4348; E-mail: joshua.terchek{at}case.edu


  Abstract

Introduction: This study examined whether the standard measure of cigar use in adolescents could be improved by the addition of a brand-specific example.

Methods: In 2002, prevalence of tobacco use was assessed in six midwestern U.S. high schools using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The survey was readministered to the same schools in 2004, with the brand name "Black and Milds" added to the item measuring cigar use. Changes in local prevalence rates were compared with national rates.

Results: Local rates of cigar and cigarette use in 2002 were consistent with national rates reported in 2003. In 2004, when the cigar item was modified to include a brand-specific example, the percentage of students reporting cigar use nearly doubled—from 12.9% to 20.7%. This difference was particularly notable among Black teens. During the same period, local rates of cigarette use remained constant, as did national rates of reported cigar and cigarette use.

Discussion: Results suggest that the current national survey item may not adequately measure cigar use. Accordingly, prevalence of cigar use among adolescents may be greatly underestimated, especially among Black youth.

Received: January 8, 2008; Accepted: February 9, 2009
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.