Tobacco coupons may make youth more likely to smoke

Middle and high school students exposed to tobacco coupons were more likely to find smoking “cool” and less likely to feel confident in quitting if they already smoked, according to recent U.S. survey data (Source: “Youth who receive tobacco coupons may be more suspectible to smoking,” Reuters, May 6, 2015).

Some kids may encounter the coupons for free or discounted tobacco products passively, via direct mail campaigns aimed at their parents, but the coupons are also often sent by email and are readily available on the Internet.

HPIO will be hosting a forum titled “Breaking the addiction: Policy pathways toward effective tobacco cessation and prevention for all Ohioans,” on June 1 at the Ohio Union at Ohio State. The event will explore the science of nicotine addiction, including research on the reasons why tobacco use is more common among people with serious mental illness and those living in poverty. Speakers, which include  Dr. Judith Prochaska of Stanford University; Dr. Harold Pollack of the University of Chicago and Micah Berman, JD  and Dr. Mary Ellen Wewers, of the Ohio State University, will describe evidence-based approaches for effective tobacco cessation for specific populations and discuss current policies in Ohio regarding tobacco and what changes could be made to reduce tobacco use.