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Youth

Smoke-Free Laws Associated with Reduced Smoking Among Youth

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research findings published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine have provided new insights into the relationship between smoke-free laws and smoking among youth in the United States. The study analyzed data from the Monitoring the Future study, which followed a sample of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders from 2001 to 2018. The research revealed that smoke-free laws in workplaces and hospitality venues were associated with lower probabilities of smoking participation, first cigarette initiation, and daily smoking initiation among youth.

Key Takeaways:

  • Smoke-free laws in workplaces and hospitality venues were associated with lower probabilities of smoking participation, first cigarette initiation, and daily smoking initiation among youth.
  • The associations between smoke-free laws and reduced smoking were most pronounced among students who definitely planned to attend college.
  • Other instances of effect modification suggested more pronounced associations for students who were female and from high-SES households; however, relationships varied by grade.
  • The study found that hospitality smoke-free laws were significantly associated with lower probabilities of smoking participation in all grades, as well as with first cigarette and daily smoking initiation in 8th and 10th grade.
  • Workplace smoke-free laws were associated with lower probabilities of smoking participation among 10th and 12th graders, as well as with first cigarette and daily smoking initiation among 10th graders.
  • Average marginal effects ranged from -0.4 percentage points (hospitality laws and daily smoking initiation in 8th and 10th grades) to -2.2 percentage points (workplace laws and smoking participation in 10th grade).
  • The research concluded that smoke-free laws were associated with reduced smoking among youth, but associations varied by grade, sex, parental education, and college plans.

Statistics:

  • Average marginal effects ranged from -0.4 to -2.2 percentage points across various outcomes and subgroups.
  • 8th, 10th, and 12th graders were included in the study sample from 2001 to 2018.
  • 10th and 12th graders were found to have lower probabilities of smoking participation due to workplace smoke-free laws.
  • Hospitality smoke-free laws were found to have a significant association with lower probabilities of smoking participation in all grades.
  • Students from high-SES households and females were found to have more pronounced associations with smoke-free laws and reduced smoking participation.
  • The study analyzed data from a total of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders over a period of 17 years.

Sources:

  • American Journal of Preventive Medicine: Smoke-free Laws and Disparities In Youth Smoking In the Us, 2001-2018. 2021;61(6):841-851.
  • Elsevier Science Inc: American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2021;61(6):841-851.
  • NewsRx LLC: New Preventive Medicine Findings from University of Michigan Reported (Smoke-free Laws and Disparities In Youth Smoking In the Us, 2001-2018). Health & Medicine Week. December 31, 2021; p 278.

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