A formative examination of messages that discourage tobacco use among junior enlisted members of the United States military

Hoffman, Kevin; Haddock, C. Keith; Poston, Walker S. Carlos; Taylor, J. Edward; Lando, Harry A.; Shelton, Suzanne

doi:10.1080/14622200801978730

Cited by 17 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A number of large studies have documented a high prevalence of tobacco use in MP [3,4,[7][8][9][10], and it has been reported that many non-smokers start smoking after entering the military [10]. In our study, 5.9% of the MP claimed to have started smoking during deployment, and the less heavy smokers increased their tobacco consumption.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 42%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Changing Patterns In Tobacco Consumption Among Spanish Military Personnel Under Stressful Conditions

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective A study is made to determine the prevalence of smoking and its variation over time in a group of Spanish military personnel (MP) under stressful conditions. Methods A questionnaire specifically designed for this study was administered to the entire MP contingent assigned to Banghis province (Afghanistan) between July and October 2009. A descriptive analysis was made (p < 0.05, 95%CI). Results The study sample comprised 254 MP (males 239; mean age 32 years (SD 9)). A total of 39.8% (95%CI; 33.7 – 45.8) were smokers, while 3.1% (95%CI; 1.0 – 5.3%) were former smokers. Regarding smoking habit before and at the end of deployment, one-half (50.5%) of the smokers declared that they smoked the same as before, 20.8% more than before, and 18.8% less than before. In turn, 5.9% of the smokers claimed to have started to smoke in the course of deployment, while 4% of the former smokers declared that they had quit smoking. The MP who quit smoking were younger than those who began to smoke (24 ± 5 vs 39 ± 9 years, p = 0.038). Moreover, the heavy smokers (≥ 15 cigarettes/day) reduced tobacco consumption, while the less heavy smokers increased the habit (p < 0.0001). Conclusions The prevalence of daily smokers is high among MP. The majority of smokers smoke the same at the end of deployment. Those who quit smoking during the mission are significantly younger than those who begin to smoke. In turn, heavy smokers reduced their habit, while less heavy smokers increased smoking.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 42%

“…The work of Hoffman and colleagues [10] offers us some cues. MP play a model role as non-smokers for children and adolescents.…”

Section: J R Armymentioning

confidence: 99%

Changing Patterns In Tobacco Consumption Among Spanish Military Personnel Under Stressful Conditions

et al. 2011

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…These groups explored themes and messages about smoking that might be effective in promoting tobacco use prevention or cessation among junior enlisted personnel. Details of instrument development, recruitment, and procedures have been previously described 11 ; Table I outlines group characteristics.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why Strong Tobacco Control Measures “Can't” Be Implemented in the U.S. Military: A Qualitative Analysis

Smith

Malone

2012

Military Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Institute of Medicine recently called for a tobacco-free military, citing evidence that high rates of tobacco use harm readiness and create enormous costs for the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration. The pro-tobacco activities of the tobacco industry and others, sometimes supported by military authorities even when prohibited by policy, have created a culture highly hospitable to smoking. Through qualitative secondary analysis of data from interviews and focus groups, this article explores the reasons enlisted personnel and their supervisors, installation tobacco control managers, and service policy leaders give for why tobacco control policy change “cannot” effectively be achieved. Three primary reasons were given: policies would impinge on the “right to smoke,” policies would be unenforceable and lead to disciplinary breakdown, and the rights of civilian workers on military installations precluded policy enforcement. Yet evidence suggests that these reasons are not only invalid, but inconsistent with military policies addressing other threats to the health of personnel. This pervasive tobacco “exceptionalism” is a significant barrier to achieving a tobacco-free military. The military, Congress, and the President should re-evaluate the “can’ts” that have prevented effective action, and act to regulate and eventually abolish tobacco use in the armed forces.

show abstract

“…Previous studies used indirect approaches, such as interviewing health promotion personnel and reviewing commanders' written messages, or focused on enlisted personnel. 16 20 25 26 Nevertheless, this study has some limitations. First, because of the sensitive nature of the interviews and the need to protect the interviewees' confidentiality, we collected limited demographic data and did not link interviews to the demographic characteristics of interviews, including tobacco use status.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Perspectives of US military commanders on tobacco use and tobacco control policy

et al. 2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Tobacco use among U.S. military service members is unacceptably high, resulting in substantial health care and personnel costs. Support of military command is critical to the success of tobacco control policies because line commanders are responsible for implementation and enforcement. This study is the first to examine U.S. military line commander’s perspectives about current tobacco control policies and the impact of tobacco on readiness. Methods We conducted key-informant interviews with 20 officers at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College about military tobacco use and tobacco control policy. Results Participants identified the long term impact of tobacco use on military members, but were unaware of proximal effects on health and readiness other than lost productivity due to smoke breaks. Officers also discussed nicotine addiction and the logistics of ensuring that an addicted population had access to tobacco. Regarding policy, most knew about regulations governing smoke-free areas and were open to stronger restrictions, but were unaware of current policies governing prevention, intervention, and product sales. Conclusions Findings suggest that strong policy that takes advantage of the hierarchical and disciplined nature of the military, supported by senior line and civilian leadership up to and including the Secretaries of the services and the Secretary of Defense, will be critical to substantially diminishing tobacco use by military personnel.

show abstract

A formative examination of messages that discourage tobacco use among junior enlisted members of the United States military

Cited by 17 publications

References 13 publications

Changing Patterns In Tobacco Consumption Among Spanish Military Personnel Under Stressful Conditions

Changing Patterns In Tobacco Consumption Among Spanish Military Personnel Under Stressful Conditions

Why Strong Tobacco Control Measures “Can't” Be Implemented in the U.S. Military: A Qualitative Analysis

Perspectives of US military commanders on tobacco use and tobacco control policy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About