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Introduction: The tobacco retail environment is a crucial marketing medium for the industry. A 2009 review found evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility, though limitations in the evidence base were identified.Aim and Methods: We reviewed and critically appraised recent evidence documenting the influence of POS tobacco promotion, and POS tobacco display bans, on smoking-related behavior and cognitions. We reviewed original quantitative and qualitative research that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and smoking prevalence, individual-level smoking and quitting and tobacco purchasing behavior, smoking susceptibility, and smoking-related cognitions.Results: Twenty peer-reviewed studies (18 quantitative and 2 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria; each study reported findings consistent with a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking or smoking susceptibility. Several studies met key criteria for causality: 4 indicated a dose-response association, 2 prospective studies were identified, and evidence from intervention studies supported the reversibility of the association. Findings were consistent across different study designs, settings, and measures.Conclusions: The existing evidence supports a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking. This review provides evidence to support the continuation of POS tobacco display bans in those jurisdictions where such legislation has been introduced and strengthens the evidence encouraging similar policies in jurisdictions without a POS display ban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The tobacco retail environment is a crucial marketing medium for the industry. A 2009 review found evidence of a positive association between exposure to point-of-sale (POS) tobacco promotion and increased smoking and smoking susceptibility, though limitations in the evidence base were identified. Aim and Methods: We reviewed and critically appraised recent evidence documenting the influence of POS tobacco promotion, and POS tobacco display bans, on smoking-related behavior and cognitions. We reviewed original quantitative and qualitative research that examined the relationship between POS tobacco promotion and smoking prevalence, individual-level smoking and quitting and tobacco purchasing behavior, smoking susceptibility, and smoking-related cognitions. Results: Twenty peer-reviewed studies (18 quantitative and 2 qualitative) met the inclusion criteria; each study reported findings consistent with a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking or smoking susceptibility. Several studies met key criteria for causality: 4 indicated a dose–response association, 2 prospective studies were identified, and evidence from intervention studies supported the reversibility of the association. Findings were consistent across different study designs, settings, and measures. Conclusions: The existing evidence supports a positive association between exposure to POS tobacco promotion and smoking. This review provides evidence to support the continuation of POS tobacco display bans in those jurisdictions where such legislation has been introduced and strengthens the evidence encouraging similar policies in jurisdictions without a POS display ban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People who quit smoking tend to gain more weight over time than those who continue to smoke. Previous research using clinical samples of smokers suggests that quitters typically experience a weight gain of approximately 5 kg in the year following smoking cessation, but these studies may overestimate the extent of weight gain in the general population. The existing population-based research in this area has some methodological limitations. Methods: We assessed a cohort of individuals born in Dunedin, New Zealand, between 1972–1973 at regular intervals from age 15 to 38. We used multiple linear regression analysis to investigate the association between smoking cessation at ages 21 years to 38 years and subsequent change in body mass index (BMI) and weight, controlling for baseline BMI, socioeconomic status, physical activity, alcohol use, and parity (women). Results: Smoking status and outcome data were available at baseline and at follow-up for 914 study members. People who smoked at age 21 and who had quit by age 38 had a BMI on average 1.5 kg/m2 greater than those who continued to smoke at age 38. This equated to a weight gain of approximately 5.7 kg in men and 5.1 kg in women above that of continuing smokers. However, the weight gain between age 21 and 38 among quitters was not significantly different to that of never-smokers. Conclusions: The amount of long-term weight gained after quitting smoking is likely to be lower than previous estimates based on research with clinical samples. On average, quitters do not experience greater weight gain than never-smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines student perceptions of teacher, peer and parent relationships in New Zealand schools, and how these relate to aggressive behaviours and attitudes. A path analysis was used to see if school climate mediates the association between the quality of within school relationships and aggression. Student perceptions of relationships with their teachers and peers, and parental involvement with school were all significantly interrelated. The quality of teacher-student relationships was the strongest predictor of school climate, which in turn predicted both aggressive behaviour and proaggressive attitudes. This research suggests that improving teacher-student relationships may have the greatest impact in reducing physically aggressive behaviours and attitudes in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To examine the extent to which cigarette smoking in adolescence is associated with maladaptive versus adaptive coping behaviors in adulthood. Method: The data came from a longitudinal study of New Zealand adolescents followed into adulthood at age 32 years. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), we examined the predictive association between daily smoking of cigarettes and symptoms of tobacco dependence from 18 to 26 years of age and later coping at age 32 years. We included pathways from childhood family disadvantage in addition to both adolescent stress–worry and adult coping in the model. Results: SEM revealed that cigarette smoking had a small but direct inverse effect on later adaptive coping (−.14) and a direct effect on maladaptive coping (.23) independent of the relationships between adolescent coping and stress–worry and later adult coping. Conclusions: The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that tobacco smoking may inhibit the development of self-efficacy or one’s ability to act with appropriate coping behaviors in any given situation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The purpose of the study was to investigate the relative importance of child and adolescent social and academic pathways to well-being in adulthood (32-years) indicated by a sense of meaning, social engagement, positive coping and prosocial values. Data were drawn from a 15 wave (32-year) longitudinal study of the health and development of around 1000 New Zealanders (Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, New Zealand). Moderate continuity in social connectedness (0.38) and high continuity in academic ability (0.90) was observed across childhood and adolescence. Adolescent social connectedness was a better predictor of adult well-being than academic achievement (0.62 vs. 0.12). There was evidence of an indirect pathway from adolescent academic achievement to adult well-being through social connectedness (0.29). Indicators of well-being in adulthood appear to be better explained by social connection rather than academic competencies pathways. Implications for promoting longer term well-being during the school years are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined weapon carrying, including both the type of weapons being carried and reasons for carrying, in a sample of New Zealand high school students. A self-report online survey was administered to 1169 secondary students in the Otago region of New Zealand. Overall, 17 per cent had carried a weapon in the past year at school, and 24 per cent hadcarried outside school. The most common type of weapon was a pocket knife or knife, and the most common reason for carrying it at school was because it was in their bag or on their key ring, and for hunting or self-defence outside school. When psychological intention was taken into account, 9 per cent reported carrying for potential use as a weapon in the past year and 6 per cent in the past month. These students were also more likely to have been in a fight, to have missed school due to feeling unsafe, to have felt lonely, been bullied, bullied others and have few self-perceived competencies. In estimating the prevalence of weapon carrying, it is important to understand the psychological context of these behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: To undertake a detailed analysis of the content of anti-bullying policies in schools in New Zealand (NZ) and Victoria, Australia. Methods: The content of anti-bullying policies from 253 NZ schools and 93 Victorian schools were analysed in terms of definitions of bullying behaviour; reporting, recording and responding to bullying incidents; communicating and evaluating the policy; and outlining strategies for preventing bullying. Results: There was a wide range in 'policy scores' between schools, and Victorian schools scored higher on nearly every area compared with NZ schools. In both regions, definitions rarely included bullying on the grounds of homophobia, religion or disability; or bullying between adults and students. Policies also lacked detail about the responsibilities of non-teaching staff in dealing with bullying, and rarely described follow-up after a bullying incident. Few policies explained how the policy would be evaluated, and many failed to mention preventive strategies. Conclusion: This study highlights some important areas that are deficient in NZ and Victorian school anti-bullying policies, and emphasises the need for guidance on how schools can develop an effective anti-bullying policy. Having more comprehensive anti-bullying policies will give schools a much better chance of reducing bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This descriptive study examined text and traditional bullying in New Zealand (NZ), and the relationship between text bullying and traditional bullying, and feeling unsafe at school. A self-report online survey assessed the frequency of bullying among 1169 15 year old secondary students, for five categories of bullying: text messages, rumours, exclusion, teasing, and physical bullying. Results show that in the school year assessed 47% reported having been bullied sometimes or often and 37% reported bullying others; 11% reported being text bullied, while 7% reported text bullying others. Students involved in text bullying were significantly more likely to be involved in traditional forms of bullying and were less likely to feel safe at school. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background.— Recent studies have found a strong relationship between tobacco smoking and headache pain. It remains unclear whether smoking behavior leads to headache or visa versa, mainly due to the cross-sectional nature of the majority of this research. Objective.— To help clarify the direction of the relation between smoking and frequent headaches in a representative cohort study. Design and Methods.— Members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (N = 980) were asked about their cigarette smoking and headache history at ages 11 and 13 (childhood), age 15 (mid-adolescence), and age 26 (adulthood). Both cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between smoking and headache status were examined using logistic regression. Results.— During mid-adolescence, the likelihood of frequent headaches doubled for smokers relative to nonsmokers (OR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.39-3.35). Smoking did not increase the risk of developing headaches in adulthood, however. In contrast, individuals who suffered from frequent headaches during mid-adolescence were 2 times more likely to smoke in adulthood than those without headache (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.3-3.7), after controlling for sex and family socioeconomic status. Attempts to quit smoking were significantly more difficult for migraine sufferers with a history of headache than for those with tension-type headache. Conclusions.— Frequent headaches during mid-adolescence appear to increase the risk of daily smoking in adolescence and adulthood. These individuals also have a more difficult time quitting than their headache-free peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: To examine the associations between connectedness to family and friends, and school engagement, and selected health compromising and health promoting behaviours in a sample of New Zealand adolescents. Methods: A web-based survey was designed and administered to a random sample of 652 Year 11 students aged 16 years from all Dunedin (NZ) high schools between 30th July and 31st October 2001. Connectedness to family and friends, and school engagement were assessed, together with reports of various health compromising and health promoting behaviours. Logistic regression was used to determine the extent to which these family, friends and school variables were related to health compromising and health promoting behaviours. Results: School engagement was strongly related to both low levels of health compromising and high levels of health promoting behaviours. Connectedness to family was associated primarily with fewer reports of suicidal ideation and increased reports of physical activity. Connectedness to friends was associated in the main with increased reports of health compromising behaviours. Conclusion: This study reinforces the importance of school and family as support networks for young people. School may well play an especially important role in health promotion among young people. The mechanisms by which engagement with school operates need to be explored further. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To examine the extent and nature of alcohol imagery on New Zealand (NZ) television, a content analysis of 98 hours of prime-time television programs and advertising was carried out over 7 consecutive days' viewing in June/July 2004. The main outcome measures were number of scenes in programs, trailers and advertisements depicting alcohol imagery; the extent of critical versus neutral and promotional imagery; and the mean number of scenes with alcohol per hour, and characteristics of scenes in which alcohol featured. Results: There were 648 separate depictions of alcohol imagery across the week, with an average of one scene every nine minutes. Scenes depicting uncritical imagery outnumbered scenes showing possible adverse health consequences of drinking by 12 to 1. Conclusion: The evidence points to a large amount of alcohol imagery incidental to storylines in programming on NZ television. Alcohol is also used in many advertisements to market non-alcohol goods and services. More attention needs to be paid to the extent of alcohol imagery on television from the industry, the government and public health practitioners. Health education with young people could raise critical awareness of the way alcohol imagery is presented on television. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined predictors of persistent tobacco smoking and smoking cessation in a longitudinal study of women''s health. The sample consisted of 575 women, with an average age of 34 years at baseline. Follow-up occurred some 13 years later. Two models of smoking behavior were examined, the first identifying correlates of daily smoking at baseline and the second identifying predictors of subsequent quitting at follow-up among those smoking at baseline. Poor maternal education, being young at birth of first child, high level of anxiety, having a partner who smoked, and high tea/coffee consumption were all associated with smoking at baseline. Being a young mother and number of cigarettes smoked at baseline predicted subsequent persistent smoking while high levels of anxiety significantly predicted subsequent quitting. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims To examine the extent to which childhood exposure to parental tobacco smoking, smoking cessation and parental disapproval of smoking predicts daily smoking and attempts to quit in adulthood. Design A longitudinal prospective design was used to examine the possible association between parental smoking variables in childhood and adolescence and subsequent smoking and cessation by age 26 years. Participants Interview data were collected as part of a longitudinal study of some 950 individuals followed from birth to age 26 years. Outcome measures were daily smoking and self-reported attempts to quit smoking. Findings Less daily smoking among the participants at age 26 was related more strongly to parental smoking cessation in the adolescent years than the childhood years. By contrast, inconsistent advice about smoking in childhood and adolescence predicted later daily smoking. Cessation attempts to age 26 were unrelated to earlier parental quitting but were related to consistent advice in adolescence from both parents about smoking. Conclusions Encouraging parents to voice consistent messages about their disapproval of smoking has a significant role to play in discouraging smoking in their adult children and promoting attempt to quit where their children are smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We examined social participation in organized clubs and groups from childhood to adolescence in a sample of young people from Dunedin, New Zealand. Groups were broadly categorized as “sports” and “cultural/youth” groups. While the results indicated high levels of participation in childhood with a decline over the ensuing adolescent years, path analyses suggested strong continuities in participation over time. Both family “active-recreational” orientation (ARO) and “intellectual-cultural” orientation (ICO) predicted participation, and mediated the effects of disadvantage on participation. Participation was significantly related to adolescent attachment to parents, friends and school/workplace, as well as self-perceived strengths, after controlling for early family disadvantage and social support, peer attachment and literacy. The effect of participation in adolescence is to widen the “social convoy” to which young people are exposed as well as strengthening relationships within that convoy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The aims of this study were twofold: first, to examine behavioural and academic outcomes of children with hyperactivity, using data from two longitudinal studies; and second, to examine comparable psychosocial outcomes for children with early reading difficulties. Methods: Measures of teacher-rated persistent hyperactivity, and reading ability obtained during early primary school were available for children from the Australian Temperament Project and the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study. Both samples were followed up to assess behavioural and academic outcomes during the adolescent and early adult years. Family background, antisocial behaviour and literacy were controlled in the first set of analyses to examine the influence of early hyperactivity. Results: There were strong linear relationships between early hyperactivity and later adverse outcomes. Adjustment for other childhood variables suggested that early hyperactivity was associated with continuing school difficulties, problems with attention and poor reading in adolescence. Early reading difficulties, after controlling for early hyperactivity, predicted continuing reading problems in high school and leaving school with no qualifications. Conclusions: The findings suggest that there are dual pathways from early inattentive behaviours to later inattention and reading problems, and from early reading difficulties to substantial impairments in later academic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the longitudinal relationship between family characteristics in early childhood. self-esteem, hopelessness and thoughts of self-harm in the midchildhood years, and suicidal ideation at ages 18 and 21. Path analysis was used to establish separate models for boys and girls. The results suggested different pathways to later suicidal ideation for boys and girls. For boys, suicidal ideation seemed to have stronger roots in childhood, with significant paths from low self-esteem and hopelessness to early thoughts of self-harm and thence to later ideation. For girls, self-esteem had a small but significant direct effect on later suicidal ideation. The findings provide support for the idea that individual characteristics such as feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem act as "generative mechanisms," linking early childhood family characteristics to suicidal ideation in early adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the association between global and academic self-esteem among youth in New Zealand. Relationship between low self-esteem and the health behavior of the youth; Unrelatedness between levels of self-esteem and substance abuse and sexual activity; Health problems associated with low self-esteem.

Aims. To examine the longitudinal association between cannabis use and mental health. Design. Information concerning cannabis use and mental health from 15 to 21 years was available for a large sample of individuals as part of a longitudinal study from childhood to adulthood. Participants. Participants were enrolled in the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, a research programme on the health, development and behaviour of a large group of New Zealanders born between 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1973. Measurements. Cannabis use and identification of mental disorder was based upon self-report as part of a general assessment of mental health using a standard diagnostic interview. Daily smoking and alcohol use at age 15 were assessed by self-report. Indices of family socio-economic status, family climate and parent - child interaction were formed using information gathered from parent report and behavioural observations over early childhood. Childhood behaviour problems were assessed by parent and teacher report. Attachment to parents was assessed in adolescence. Findings. Cross-sectional associations between cannabis use and mental disorder were significant at all three ages. Both outcome variables shared similar pathways of low socio-economic status and history of behaviour problems in childhood, and low parental attachment in adolescence. Mental disorder at age 15 led to a small but significantly elevated risk of cannabis use at age 18; by contrast, cannabis use at age 18 elevated the risk of mental disorder at age 21. The latter association reflected the extent to which cannabis dependence and other externalizing disorders at age 21 were predicted by earlier level of involvement with cannabis. Conclusions. The findings suggest that the primary causal direction leads from mental disorder to cannabis use among adolescents and the reverse in early adulthood. Both alcohol use and cigarette smoking had independent associations with later mental health disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. An index of adversity is a measure of risk that can be considered independently of individual risk factors. This study examined four areas of adversity in early childhood, namely perinatal complications, family background, child-rearing practices, and the child's physical health, and their relationship to developmental outcomes. Four indices of adversity in these areas were examined as predictors of cognitive ability and motor ability for 476 girls and 510 boys at age 5 years. Results of the study indicated that indices of family background and child-rearing practices were highly related to these developmental outcomes. An index of health problems was found to be significantly related to motor ability. The perinatal complications index was significantly related only to specific cognitive ability scores for boys. Previously, developmental outcomes have been assessed in terms of the magnitude of individual risk factors, but more effective screening procedures may need to take account of the additive effect of the number of relevant adverse risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which looked at the level of education, age of bearing children and mental health of women. Discussion on the longitudinal relationship between women's mental health and both their level of education and age at which they had their first child; Methodology used in the study; Statistical information on the means, standard deviation and correlations martix for neuroticism, psychological symptom and depression scores.

Parent and teacher reports of behaviour problems were obtained at ages 5, 7, 9 and 11 years for three groups of boys: specific reading retarded ( N= 18), general reading backward ( N= 22), and those with no severe reading disability ( N= 436). At school entry, both groups of reading disabled boys were reported as having more behaviour problems, and the level of problems increased during their early school years. The results suggest that behaviour problems pre-date reading disability, while reading failure further exacerbates the existing problem behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large sample of 7-year-old children ( n - 940) was rated by teachers using the Rutter Child Scale B, a 26-item questionnaire covering a variety of behavioural problems. A factor analysis of the data revealed three main factors of interest, identified as aggressiveness, hyperactivity and anxiety-fearfulness. Measures based upon these factors had a reasonably high level of reliability and were moderately stable over a 2-year interval. An analysis of the relationship between these three behavioural measures and some cognitive measures indicated that only hyperactivity was negatively associated with cognitive ability. However, both hyperactivity and aggressiveness were related to adversity in the child's family background. The findings suggest the usefulness of distinguishing between aggressive and hyperactive dimensions of behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- In 1975 Rutter and Yule distinguished between 'specific reading retardation' and 'general reading backwardness'. In a sample of 952 9-year-olds from Dunedin, New Zealand, 4.2% were identified as specific reading retarded and 4.1% as having general reading backwardness. Boys from each problem group were compared with boys without reading delay. General reading backwardness was associated with a history of long-term cognitive and motor delay. Specific reading retardation was only associated with lower verbal IQ and poor speech articulation. A number of differences between the findings of Rutter and Yule and the present results were noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural equation modelling was used with data from a longitudinal study of child development ( N= 698) to examine relationships between early reading attainment and antisocial behaviour at ages 7 and 9 years and subsequent reading and delinquent behaviour in adolescence. While reading, analysed as a continuous variable, did not directly influence later delinquency, antisocial behaviour during the early school years was strongly predictive of delinquency at age 15 years. particularly for boys, and had a detrimental effect on reading. These findings were independent of social disadvantage, and were unchanged by adjusting reading scores for IQ. Reading disability at 9 years old, however, predicted conduct disorder at age l5 in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined sources of distress experienced by 15-year-old adolescents in a large sample from the general population. We identified four types of stressful life circumstances relating to problems of self-image and independence, academic and physical competence, parental conflict, and moving residence and schools. Girls reported higher levels of distress for the first three types of circumstance. Reports of distress were associated with poor family social support, maternal depression and parental separation. Both DSM-III disorder and poor social competence were associated with differential patterns of distress. Lastly, poor social competence and high distress were independent and additive predictors of mental health disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined 'physical' and 'psychological' dimensions of disability associated with different DSM-III disorders in a large sample of 13-year old adolescents. The measure of disability was based upon the World Health Organization (1980) classification. We found that adolescents with multiple DSM-III disorders and those with attention deficit and anxiety disorders showed the highest levels of parent perceived disablement; depression and conduct disorder showed the least. In addition, adolescents with any kind of DSM-III disorder showed a rate of parent-reported hospitalization twice that of the remainder of the sample. They also had poorer perceived health, as suggested by lower parent and self health ratings than those without disorder [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship between DSM-III disorder in adolescence and DSM-III-R disorder in early adulthood, in relation to a history of behavior problems or disorder, other family and individual characteristics, and events commonly associated with the transition of adulthood. Histories of early mental problem; Continuity of disorders across the adulthood.

Examines prevalence, impact and continuity of self-reported attention-deficit disorder (ADD) symptomatology from ages 15 to 18 years, in a longitudinal study of a New Zealand birth cohort. Prevalence of attentional difficulties at age 15; Nature of self-reported symptoms of ADD at age 15; Associated impairment; Continuity of ADD symptomatology; Comorbidity.

Examines the relation of mental health disorders in adolescents to disorders in early adulthood. Rarity of longitudinal method; The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study (DMHDS) as data base; Measures used; Continuity of disorders through studied ages; Factors strongly related; Implications for clinicians.

Aims. To test an extended version of Pomerleau's (1997) hypothesis that children with mental health problems are at higher risk of smoking in preadolescence and adolescence. Design. Information concerning mental health from 5 to 13 years, smoking at ages 11 and 15, and family disadvantage at age 7 was available for 773 children enrolled in a longitudinal study of children and adolescents. Participants. Participants were enrolled into the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which is a longitudinal investigation of the health, development and behaviour of a large group of New Zealand children born between 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1973. Measurements. Assessment of mental health problems in childhood was based upon parent and teacher reports of behavioural and emotional problems. In pre-adolescence, mental health was assessed by self, parent and teacher report. Smoking was assessed by self-report. Findings. None of the potential risk factors of gender, childhood disadvantage or childhood mental health problems predicted onset of smoking in pre-adolescence. Daily smoking at age 15 was best predicted by smoking in preadolescence, being female and experiencing childhood disadvantage. Pre-adolescent mental health was only weakly predictive of later smoking and this association appeared to be confounded with background disadvantage. Conclusions. We found little support for the extension of Pomerleau's (1997) hypothesis to childhood mental health. Our findings also run counter to recent suggestions for targeting smoking prevention at groups of children with mental health disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study examined factors related to smoking at age 13 and to persistence of smoking from ages 13 to 15 years in a sample (n = 719) of New Zealand adolescents. History of smoking at 9 and 11 years predicted smoking at 13 (odds ratio = 2.8), persistence of smoking from age 13 to 15 (OR = 2.4) and smoking at 15 among those not smoking at age 13 (OR = 2.4). While there were no significant sex differences in pre-adolescent and early adolescent smoking, by age 15 more girls than boys reported smoking. A concern with the immediate negative effects of smoking (taste, smell, feeling ill and feeling silly) as a reason for not smoking at age 13 was inversely related to smoking at age 15 (OR = 0.4). Reasons for smoking at age 13 were not associated with later smoking. Family disadvantage and use of alcohol and other drugs were also associated with later adolescent smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We assessed the criterion-related validity of a contemplation ladder used to determine college students’ readiness to reduce binge drinking. 1356 students in halls of residence in Dunedin, New Zealand completed a self-report survey including the contemplation ladder, AUDIT questionnaire, and other alcohol-related measures. Two groups of binge drinkers were identified, one reporting bingeing more than twice per week (n =645), and one bingeing 1–2 times per week (n =237). A third group did not report binge drinking (n =474). A higher readiness to change binge drinking was associated with more frequent bingeing, more interpersonal and academic problems with alcohol, less frequent use of cannabis, and living in a hall with a norm of binge drinking. The contemplation ladder for alcohol was sensitive to other alcohol-related behaviours, and may be useful in surveys of drinking where a brief measure of readiness to change is needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Considerable emphasis has been placed on the importance of tobacco imagery in the movies as one of the "drivers" of smoking among young people. Findings are presented from a content analysis of 98 hours of prime-time programming on New Zealand television 2004, identifying 152 scenes with tobacco imagery, and selected characteristics of those scenes. About one in four programmes contained tobacco imagery, most of which might be regarded as "neutral or positive". This amounted to about two scenes containing such imagery for every hour of programming. A comparison with our earlier content analysis of programming in 2002 indicated little change in the level of tobacco imagery. The effect of this imagery in contributing to young viewers taking up smoking, and sustaining the addiction among those already smoking, deserves mare research attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

— Aims: To test for the possibility that tertiary students misinterpret certain items on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Methods: Responses to alternative question wordings were compared with responses to standard items. Results: Alterations to items 5 and 9, so that consequences of drinking epitomized in these items were more specifically defined, resulted in markedly different response distributions to the item, but the total AUDIT score was not changed. Conclusions: Caution is necessary before using individual AUDIT items as measures of consequences in population surveys, and the possibility of false positives in total scores should be borne in mind. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses the relationship between alcohol marketing and the increase in the number of people consuming alcohol. It examines the significance of alcohol advertising, the condition of the alcohol industry, and the number of community service advertisements. It proposes that there is a need for changing the laws related to the consumption of alcohol in New Zealand.

Issues Addressed: With the adoption of Smokefree 2025, further commitment from local government to extend smokefree outdoor area policies is becoming increasingly important in the presence of high public support. The aim of this study was to identify local government commitment in the Canterbury/West Coast (CWC) region to the New Zealand Smokefree 2025 goal through provision of smokefree outdoor areas.Methods: Document analysis of the different stages of council long-term plans (LTPs) was undertaken, including 239 draft LTP documents, 5926 public submissions on these documents and 13 final LTP documents. A comparison between the 2015 final document and the 2012 final document was undertaken. Following this, semi-structured telephone interviews were undertaken with council staff.Results: No council had referred to Smokefree 2025 or smokefree community spaces in any 2015 LTP draft document. Each of the CWC councils received a number of smokefree-related submissions, with the main theme being the extension of current Smokefree Outdoor Area Policy. The final LTP documents showed that 5 councils had included a brief statement about Smokefree 2025. Smokefree issues were mentioned more often in the 2012 LTP compared to the 2015 LTP.Conclusions: This research highlights a need for more commitment by local government to achieving the Smokefree 2025 goal. So what? There are opportunities for health groups to work with councils to try and enhance their overall commitment to Smokefree 2025 and promote wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors examined the association between suicidal ideation in early adulthood and daily tobacco smoking in a community sample of adolescents. Method: Participants were enrolled in a longitudinal study of health and development. The factors of disadvantage, impulsiveness, stress, depressed mood, tobacco smoking, other substance use, and parental attachment were included in multi- variate modelling of suicidal ideation. Results: Data on tobacco use were available for 764 participants. Early tobacco smoking was significantly predictive of later suicidal ideation, but there was no longer a significant relationship when high levels of stress and depression and low levels of parental attachment in adolescence were included in the multivariate model. Conclusions: Tobacco smoking in adolescence does not appear to elevate the risk of later suicidal ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explores the relation between stressful events and cancer. Literature reviews in relation between stressful events and cancer; Methodology in the studies of cancer; Effect of stress to individuals with cancer.