Summary
Introduction: This text summarizes a research study examining the relationship between belief in short-term and long-term consequences of smoking and vaping and their impact on smoking intentions and behavior among youth. The study aims to understand the role of temporal discounting in tobacco use decisions and inform future anti-tobacco campaigns.
Key Points:
* The study used a large, nationally representative sample of youth, analyzing cross-sectional and longitudinal data.
* Belief in short-term consequences of smoking and vaping was more strongly associated with intentions not to smoke and vape and subsequent non-smoking behavior.
* The study provides evidence for the role of temporal discounting in smoking and vaping decisions.
* Researchers controlled for prior use and personal characteristics, ensuring the robustness of their findings.
* The study highlights the importance of incorporating short-term consequences in anti-tobacco messaging.
* Both smoking and vaping were analyzed, with similar results for both substances.
* The findings can directly inform future anti-tobacco campaigns, emphasizing the value of focusing on immediate consequences.
Main Message: The study underscores the significance of temporal discounting in youth tobacco use decisions, revealing that belief in short-term consequences is a more powerful predictor of intentions and behavior than long-term consequences. This research emphasizes the need for anti-tobacco campaigns to incorporate messaging about immediate negative effects of smoking and vaping, which could lead to more effective prevention and cessation efforts.
Citation
Jesch E, Kikut aI, hornik R. Comparing belief in short-term versus long-term consequences of smoking and vaping as predictors of non-use in a 3-year nationally representative survey study of US youth. Tobacco control. 2023;32(4):435-442. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056886
