American Journal of Public Health February 2004 Highlights
- Cigarettes getting more screen time in blockbuster films
- Many Manhattan residents increased smoking and drinking after September 11 attacks
- Prescription drug abuse a growing problem in America
- American Indian online cigarette sales present ethical dilemma
- Restaurant smoking bans more likely in affluent neighborhoods
The articles highlighted below appear in the February 2004 issue of the American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of the American Public Health Association.
Cigarettes getting more screen time in blockbuster films
Cigarettes are back in vogue among movie characters, according to a random sample of major motion pictures. While smoking in movies declined from 10.7 incidents per hour in 1950 to 4.9 incidents per hour in 1980-82, such incidents increased to 10.9 per hour in 2002, with the most rapid increase starting in about 1991. Smoking shown in movies has been linked to increased smoking among teens. "Despite declining tobacco use and increasing public health understanding of smoking in the real world, smoking in movies has returned to levels observed in 1950, when smoking was nearly twice as prevalent in reality as it was in 2000," the study's authors said. Researchers selected a random sample of 20 of the top-grossing films released in the United States between 1950 and 1959 and five of the top-grossing movies for 2001 and 2002. They compared this data to an earlier analysis of films released in the 1980s and warned that giving more screen time to cigarettes can have a long-term effect on the nation's youth. "Particularly with the long shelf life that movies gain through television rebroadcast, videotape and DVD, the pro-tobacco influence of the high smoking levels in recent movies will continue to be a pro-tobacco influence on teenagers for years to come unless remedial action is taken."
[From: "Back to the Future: Smoking in Movies in 2002 Returned to 1950 Levels." Contact: Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, University of California, San Francisco, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, glantz@medicine.ucsf.edu.]
Many Manhattan residents increased smoking and drinking after September 11 attacks
The September 11 terrorist attacks caused many Manhattan residents to smoke and drink more, a trend that could have long-term psychological and physical health consequences. Researchers collected data from two random-digit-dial surveys conducted one month and six months following the attacks. In October 2001, almost 31 percent of the 988 survey respondents reported increased use of cigarettes, alcohol or marijuana, and the figure was 27 percent in March 2002. "These sustained increases in substance use following the September 11 terrorist attacks suggest potential long-term health consequences as a result of disasters," the study's authors said. They also said the issue warrants more study among the public health community.
[From: "Sustained Increased Consumption of Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Marijuana Among Manhattan Residents After September 11, 2001." Contact: David Vlahov, PhD, Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies, New York Academy of Medicine, dvlahov@nyam.org.]
Prescription drug abuse a growing problem in America
Millions of Americans are at risk for abusing prescription drugs, especially women, people in poor health and those who drink alcohol daily. A study of data collected as part of the National Household Study on Drug Abuse found that nearly 1.3 million Americans are abusing prescription drugs. And more than 8 million report non-medical use of prescription drugs each year. Researchers found that single women age 35 and older are at increased risk of abusing narcotic analgesics. Tranquilizers are more likely to be abused by women, whites, people with at least a high-school education, those in poor or fair health and those who drink alcohol daily. For sedative-hypnotics, poor health increased the likelihood of abuse, while yearly income of less than $40,000 reduced it. Past-year illicit drug use actually reduced the odds of prescription drug abuse.
[From: "Risk Factors Associated With Problem Use of Prescription Drugs." Contact: Linda Simoni-Wastila, PhD, University of Maryland, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, lsimoniw@rx.umaryland.edu.]
American Indian online cigarette sales present ethical dilemma
Cheap and easily accessible cigarettes offered from American Indian Web sites are becoming a larger part of the tobacco marketplace, presenting an ethical dilemma among those working to improve the health of American Indians/Alaska Natives. At least eight Indian cigarette and tobacco product brands are sold on 33 Web sites, according to a search of more than 1,000 sites using the search term "American Indian cigarettes." State sales and excise taxes are not added to the sales of these brands, and cigarette sales revenues are a sizeable source of income for some tribes and Indian entrepreneurs. A carton of cigarettes purchased online can cost as little as one-fifth the amount charged at grocery stores. "The changing pattern of smoking sales and new points of purchase challenge researchers and educators to address this new marketing ploy," the study's authors said, "and to discover ways to curb rising smoking rates in Indian communities."
[From: "American Indian Internet Cigarette Sales: Another Avenue for Selling Tobacco Products." Contact: Felicia A. Hodge, DrPH, University of Minnesota Center for American Indian Research and Education, hodge029@umn.edu.]
Restaurant smoking bans more likely in affluent neighborhoods
Local smoke-free restaurant ordinances are most likely to protect the health of citizens living in more affluent neighborhoods, according to a study of such measures in Massachusetts. Researchers examined a state database of state restaurant smoking regulations for each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns. Local smoke-free restaurant ordinances were more likely to be adopted by towns with a higher proportion of college graduates, a higher per capita income, a lower percentage of non-Hispanic whites, a higher percentage of foreign-born residents, medium-sized populations (20,000-50,000 residents) and a lower proportion of youths. Regulations also were more likely in: towns in the Metrowest/Boston region; towns where a higher percentage of voters supported a 1992 cigarette tax initiative; towns where the local board of health was funded to conduct clean indoor air policy efforts; and towns that bordered another town with a strong restaurant smoking regulation. Healthy People 2010 calls for the protection of every American from the hazards of tobacco smoke exposure in restaurants.
[From: "Town-Level Characteristics and Smoking Policy Adoption in Massachusetts: Are Local Restaurant Smoking Regulations Fostering Disparities in Health Protection?" Contact: Margie Skeer, MSW, MPH, Boston University School of Public Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, skeer@bu.edu.]