Title
The Color of Smoke: An Examination of the Relationship between Menthol Cigarettes and Youth Smoking
Date of Award
Spring 5-2009
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Public Health
Field of Study
Health Management and Policy
Department
School of Public Health
First Advisor
Dr. Kristine Lykens
Abstract
Background. Research on the use and effect of menthol content in cigarettes is well established. More recent is research on the effect of menthol content on the smoking habits of school-aged youth. This study examined the relationship between menthol content and current cigarette use to test whether menthol content is predictive of current cigarette use among school-aged youth.
Methods. This study included all respondents to the 2004 National Youth Tobacco Survey who were 17 years old and younger and who indicated they were current smokers. Ordinal and generalized logistic regressions were used to estimate the relationship between menthol content and current cigarette use, controlling for sociocontextual and demographic factors. All analyses were performed in STATA 10.
Results. In general, menthol content has a positive but not statistically significant effect on current cigarette use, controlling for sociocontextual factors. However, menthol content has a positive and statistically significant effect on days smoked (OR=1.2; p=0.046), on current cigarette use, controlling for demographic factors (OR=1.3; p=0.011); and on current cigarette use for light smokers (OR=1.3; p<0.001) and heavy smokers (OR=2.3; p<0.001), controlling for demographic factors.
Conclusion: More research is needed to understand the true effect of menthol content on the smoking habits of school-aged youth across the smoking continuum.
Recommended Citation
Garner, W. A.
,
"The Color of Smoke: An Examination of the Relationship between Menthol Cigarettes and Youth Smoking" Fort Worth, Tx: University of North Texas Health Science Center;
(2009).
http://digitalcommons.hsc.unt.edu/theses/74