finds
George Mason University study finds 2009 US Food and Drug Administration flavored cigarette ban reduced smoking by underage youth by 43% and young adults by 27%

Date:
July 15, 2020
Source:
George Mason University
Summary:
Researchers analyzed National Survey on Drug Use and Health data
to test the effect of the 2009 U.S. flavored cigarette ban. The
study found the ban reduced underage smoking by 43% and smoking
among young adults by 27%. Researchers call for more comprehensive
bans of flavored tobacco products to reduce youth use of these
dangerous products.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Despite a general decline in U.S. tobacco use since the 1950's, tobacco
use is still prevalent and a significant threat to public health. Previous research has shown that flavored cigarettes largely appeal to and are disproportionately used by underage smokers. Nearly 90% of smokers begin smoking by age 18, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. To reduce long- term health consequences and improve public
health, preventing smoking initiation is key as is reducing the draw of flavored tobacco products.


==========================================================================
On September 22, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's national
ban on flavored cigarettes products went into effect. This banned the
sale of flavored cigarettes other than menthol, but there was little information about the potential impact of this ban on youth smoking.

New research led by George Mason University's College of Health and
Human Services found that the flavored cigarette ban was linked to a significant reduction in smoking among youth and young adults.

Dr. Matthew Rossheim, assistant professor of global and community health,
led the study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Researchers
found that the flavored cigarette ban reduced smoking among youth (ages
12-17 years) by 43% and young adults (ages 18-25 years) by 27%.

"Our study suggests that the ban of flavored cigarettes was
extremely effective at reducing smoking among young people," explains
Rossheim. "This shows incredible promise for future comprehensive bans
of flavored tobacco products, including those in e-cigarettes, which
to-date have received significant exemptions. Policymakers should take
note of the evidence from this study and pass legislation to extend flavor
bans to other tobacco and nicotine products." Rossheim and colleagues
examined cigarette use among young people and adults from the 2002-2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health data. This included nationally representative data collected every quarter each year, providing a more sensitive measure to detect changes in smoking behaviors than previous research, as well as an adult comparison group to test whether there
was an overall reduction in smoking that could have been a result of
other factors.

Rossheim and colleagues did not see a similar reduction in smoking among
older smokers, which suggests that this ban was effective at reducing
smoking specifically among young people and that the reduction was caused
by the ban and not by other influences.

"We observed an increase in smoking of menthol cigarettes among youth
right after the ban took effect," adds Rossheim. "It appears that young
people smoke menthol cigarettes more when other flavor options are no
longer available." Menthol flavor was excluded from the 2009 ban. Prior research has also shown that menthol-flavored tobacco products are disproportionately used by African Americans, which may explain observed
health disparities.

Rossheim and colleagues suggest that, to maximize their effectiveness
among young people and to avoid increasing health disparities among
African Americans, flavor bans should include all flavors and tobacco
products.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by George_Mason_University. Original
written by Danielle Hawkins. Note: Content may be edited for style
and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Matthew E. Rossheim, Melvin D. Livingston, Jenna R. Krall, Tracey E.

Barnett, Dennis L. Thombs, Kayla K. McDonald, Gilbert
W. Gimm. Cigarette Use Before and After the 2009 Flavored
Cigarette Ban. Journal of Adolescent Health, 2020; DOI:
10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.022 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200715123129.htm

--- up 1 hour, 54 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1337:3/111)