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Smoking Prevention: Targeting Americas Youth

Brandie Zimmerman
Ferris State University













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Smoking Prevention: Targeting Americas Youth
Smoking tobacco products is linked to many diseases and poses health risks that can
reduce life expectancy by 10 years (Livingston, 2012, pg. 1599). The most common diseases
associated with the use of tobacco products are certain types of cancer, atherosclerosis, and
diseases of the lungs (Livingston, 2012, pg. 1599). According to Livingston (2012), if you smoke
tobacco, you have a 50% chance of dying from a smoking-related complication and despite
these risks, 20% of all adult Americans smoke (pg. 1599). The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention [CDC] (2013), suggests that, nearly 90% of smokers in the United States began
smoking by age 18 years (pg. 893). Studies suggest, nearly 9 out of 10 smokers started
smoking by age 18, and 99% started by age 26 (CDC, 2013).This information indicates the
population that needs preventative education is youths and young adults under the age of 26
years. This paper will examine the population at risk for tobacco abuse, health promotion of that
population, a tool designed to promote health of that population through tobacco abuse
prevention, and a health promotion theory to support its use.
Population
The CDC (2013) indicates that tendencies to use tobacco products begin at a young age.
This is the population that needs preventative education (pg. 893). Youths to age 26 are at risk
for developing tobacco addiction (CDC, 2013). According to the CDC (2013), more than 3,200
people younger than 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette and those who are occasional or
social smokers, will become daily tobacco abusers (CDC, 2013). Although, smoking amongst
youths declined from the year 2000-2011, a study conducted by the CDC (2013) in 2012,
indicated that, 6.7% of middle school and 23.3% of high school used tobacco products on a
daily basis. This rise in tobacco abuse among youths may be related to the introduction of the
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electronic cigarette, hookah and other tobacco smoking paraphernalia (CDC, 2013). The use of
the electronic cigarette among middle and high school age people has more than doubled in
2011-2012 and no current data supports a decline in the usage of tobacco products among
youths today(CDC, 2013). This is an alarming fact considering the health risks associated with
the use of tobacco products and more specifically with smoking tobacco.
To develop health promotion and a prevention campaign, first we have to understand the
population at risk and contributing risk factors. We all know the impact of advertising on the
human psyche. Commercials, movies and celebrities play a large role in the urge to begin
smoking at a young age (CDC, 2013). Peer pressure experienced by youths and young adults
may increase the risk of smoking, according to the CDC (2013), young people are more likely
to use tobacco if their peers use tobacco. The CDC (2013) also suggests that social pressures
such as weight control, depression and anxiety, low income families, lack of parental support,
low academic achievement, low self-esteem, and aggressive behavior and possibly a biological
or genetic component may all contribute to smoking among youths and young adults. Tobacco
products may also be considered a gate way to alcohol or other drug abuse (CDC, 2013).
Research suggests that the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse is higher in youths and young
adults who use tobacco products (CDC, 2013). Understanding the population at risk for the use
of tobacco products will help develop a prevention campaign on the war against smoking and
related co-morbidities.
Health Promotion
The prevalence of tobacco abuse among youths and young adults is alarming. Evidence
supports the need to promote healthy behaviors at a young age in order to decrease the risk of
adverse health effects related to tobacco abuse and more specifically smoking tobacco (CDC,
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2013). By understanding the population at risk, we can develop a plan to promote healthy
behaviors before unhealthy behaviors begin or are out of control. Education, persistence and
constant exposure to facts will decrease the risk of tobacco abuse among youths and young
adults (CDC, 2013). This population needs to be informed that tobacco products are: addictive,
expensive, damaging to blood vessels, toxic to the lungs and body tissues, makes it hard to
breathe and participate in physical activity, visually unappealing and just plain stinks (CDC,
2013).
The CDC (2013) suggests that prevention interventions are in place and implemented.
These interventions include: increased pricing on all tobacco products, prohibition of smoking in
workplaces and public places, warnings on packaging about the dangers of tobacco products,
media prevention campaigns, cessation assistance programs, and advertising restrictions.
Although, these interventions are implemented, American youths and young adults need constant
education targeting that is focused on the population described above. By understanding this
vulnerable population, we can develop tools to assist in health promotion.
Health Promotion Tool
I designed a health promotion tool to assist in education and smoking prevention among
the vulnerable youth and young adult population. This tool provides facts and visuals to help
prevent tobacco abuse from starting. The facts are easy to understand and visuals support
evidence. I chose to make a heading that would be eye catching and entice the reader to look
inside for further information. I chose the no smoking sign to set the tone for the information
contained in the tool and placed it on the cover. Inside the tool, I placed some very quick facts
with a photo of charred lungs. I chose this picture because I wanted to hone in on the damage
smoking causes to the lungs in particular. I felt this would be one of the most easily understood
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concepts for youths and young adults. Seeing a picture of charred lungs will hopefully shine light
on the detriment smoking causes. Next, I placed a photo that depicts the toxic chemicals
contained within a cigarette. I felt this is important information, because I do not think people
really understand what chemicals are contained in a cigarette and I hope seeing a visual aide such
as this picture will bring that realization to light. The last two picture I places in the tool are
pictures that depict my thesis for the tool; smoking is deadly and choosing not to smoke is an
individual choice, but could be a life or death decision.
This tool could be issued to physicians offices, handed out at school or sporting events,
handed out at a smoking prevention assembly, available in the health department, dentist offices,
pharmacies and even grocery stores, department stores or anywhere youths and young adults
congregate. I think it is an easy to follow and simple depiction of the consequences of making
the choice to smoke and should hopefully deter the reader from starting in the first place or
quitting if they already do smoke or use tobacco products. This tool was designed and is
supported with the use of the self-efficacy and social cognitive theory.
Health Promotion Theory
The self-efficacy and social cognitive theory states that determinants of health are based
on factors in the environment, personal and behavioral factors. These determinants include the
knowledge of a health risk and the benefits of reducing that risk, based on self-efficacy and
expectations (Pender, Murdaugh & Parsons, 2011, pg. 42). The population at risk for tobacco
addiction meets the criteria set forth by the theory. The tool supports this theory by providing
primary and secondary prevention. The tool provides knowledge of potential dangers linked with
tobacco abuse. This knowledge can help the youth or young adult take control of their choices
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and change behaviors before they being or once they have been established (Pender et al., 2011,
pg. 42).
Tobacco abuse begins as a youth or young adult (CDC, 2013). Early prevention can
reduce the risk of youths and young adults experimenting with tobacco products (CDC, 2013).
Primary and secondary prevention are provided through early education of the population at risk.
Understanding this population is the key to impacting their choices and supports the self-efficacy
and social cognitive theory through the use of educational tools to appeal to the at risk population
(Pender et al., 2011). Understanding how the theory relates to the psyche of the at risk
population will aide in the development of prevention tools and campaigns (Pender et al., 2011,
pg. 43). This paper examined the at risk population for tobacco abuse, health promotion of this
population, a tool designed to promote health through early tobacco abuse prevention and a
health promotion theory to support its use.











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References
CDC: Smoking and Tobacco Use (2013). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved
February 27, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/index.htm
Livingston, E.W. (2012). Smoking cessation. Journal of the American Medical Association, 308,
1559.
Pender, N., Murdaugh, C., & Parsons, M.A. (2011). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice (6
th

ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
Tobacco Product Use (2013). CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Retrieved February
27, 2014, from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6245a2.htm?s_cid=%20mm6245a2.h
tm_w