This paper uses a hierarchical decision process model, uses of information, and a theory of consumption values as a strategic framework for evaluating the general failure of intervention strategies for teenage smoking initiation. Extremely high smoking consideration-to-trial rates and rapid cessation by occasional smokers provide narrow but unused strategic opportunities for intervention. Use of information sources varies by stage of model with interpersonal sources dominating consideration, trial, and cessation stages and mass media showing only a slightly increasing use in cessation compared to the earlier stages. The decision process model and consumption values are necessary for planning strategic interventions. Existing intervention programs are not appropriately targeted in the decision process. Programs should be developed to reduce the smoking consideration to trial rates in younger children and to encourage rapid cessation in older teenagers. The use of either print or broadcast mass media intervention programs is not supported.Continuing high levels of teenage tobacco use in the United States and elsewhere cast doubts on the success of public policy interventions and the efficacy of widely held teenage smoking beliefs. While levels of teenage smoking have recently shown a slight decrease, high-school smoking rates are more than one-fourth higher than in 1991, and the percentage of frequent high-school smokers has risen approximately 32% during the same time period (Brooks 2000). Surprisingly, little appears to have changed since 1988, when one group of researchers observed:In spite of the attention, smoking behavior among adolescents has not decreased appreciably over the past five years, and the most intensive intervention efforts have been judged to be only of modest success (Cleary et al. 1988, p. 137).
This article reviews travel research efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability issues from an academic perspective with direct practitioner applications.
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