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Background. The gadget is a technology that is an important need in many aspects of life today. In the health sector, gadgets are instruments that strongly support efforts to meet the demands of the community for quality health services, including in adolescens health promotion programs, especially those aimed at preventing risky behavior that is detrimental to health. Drug abuse and smoking behavior is one of the risky behaviors that has a tendency to increase in adolescens. The purpose of this study is a descriptive study of the characteristics of gadgets in adolescens and their correlation with preferences for offline or online health promotion methods. Method. The research was designed as a cross-sectional study with a survey method. Data were obtained through a questionnaire about demographiccharacteristics and student opinions about the promotion method of drug abuse and smoking behaviour prevention. The survey was conducted on 723 students selected by the Stratified random sampling method at 20 junior and senior high schools in Bima from May to June 2022. Data analysis was carried out univariately and bivariately using the Chi-Square test. Results. The study shows majority of respondents using smartphone as much as 92.8%. Most access uses free wifi as much as 50.5% with its use in assignments task or study materials only 44.5% compared to 55.5% for games,socials media and outside school assignments. The use of gadgets in internet access is included in the excessive category as much as 58.4%. The preference for the offline method of health promotion is 81.1% and the results of the chi-square test show that there is a significant relationship between the preference for the offline method and the status of ownership of the device (95% CI: OR 2,3;1,351-3,963, p value 0.003). Conclusion. The majority of respondents have devices that have not been optimally used in learning. The role of health workers is needed in utilizing gadgets in health promotion efforts by preparing media and methods according to the needs of adolescens and assisting adolescens by parents in using gadgets wisely and focusing on increasing the ability to use technology in learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the heuristic-systematic model of persuasion, the current paper dissects the mechanism by which interactivity affects smokers' attitudes and behaviors after browsing an interactive anti-smoking website. An experiment with 112 current smokers (control vs. interactive condition) was conducted to examine the effects of interactivity on message processing and persuasion outcomes. The results demonstrated that three types of indirect effects of interactivity predicted smokers' attitudes and beliefs. First, smokers selectively scanned the interactive website more than the control website, which diminished change in their messagecongruent beliefs after browsing and negatively influenced their attitudes toward the website. Second, as long as smokers perceived the website to be interactive, their perception of interactivity functioned as a heuristic cue that directly led to greater change in anti-smoking beliefs and attitudes. Finally, perceived interactivity also led to positively biased systematic processing, which in turn, led to greater persuasive impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cigarettes smoking among school children is a major public health issue worldwide, especially in developing countries [9]. It is a common risk factor accountable for non-communicable diseases related mortality and morbidity [9] and age of initiation of smoking is reducing day by day [5]. This study was carried out to assess the smoking behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and practices on cigarette smoking among upper secondary male school children in the national schools in the Tangalle education zone, Sri Lanka. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using pre-tested selfadministrated questionnaire. The stratified random sampling method was used to select 254 of the sample. Response rate was 97.65% (n=250). There were 26.4% (n=184) of ever smokers, and among them, the majority (53%, n=36) were current smokers. One-forth (27%, n=26) of current smokers wanted to quit smoking. The mean age of initiation of smoking was 13.88 (SD: ±1.65) years, and the main reason for starting smoking was curiosity. Friends' and parents' smoking habit was significant with the students smoking behaviors (p<0.05). Findings suggest counselling programs and educational programs for students and parents, aiming prevention of smoking habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for prioritizing the causes and correctors of smoking habits in Malaysia. In order to identify the driving forces that causes (initiation factors) smoking habits and its correctors (anti-smoking strategies), a method called Enhanced Analytic Hierarchy Process (EAHP) is employed. The EAHP has advantages over normal Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based on its capability to eliminate inconsistency (consistency ratio > 0.1) in evaluating expert's judgment. Based on the Theory of Triadic Influence, the identified initiation factors were personal beliefs and values, personal psychological, family influence, psychosocial influence, culture and legislative. There are five anti-smoking strategies that have been implemented in Malaysia, namely packaging and labelling, pricing and taxation, advertising, smoke-free legislation and education and support. Findings from the study shows that psychosocial influence was considered as the initiation factor of smoking among Malaysian adults, and mass media campaign was the most effective anti-smoking strategies to reduce smoking prevalence. The implementation of an effective anti-smoking strategies should be considered towards the endgame of tobacco by the year 2040 as outlined by the government. The findings in turn can provide insights and guidelines for researchers as well as policy makers to assess the effectiveness of anti-smoking strategies towards a better policy planning decisions in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer death rates have increased 465% in the past 30 years in China, much of this increase due to smoking (China Ministry of Health, 2008). To battle the smoking epidemic, health care professionals in China have launched various national anti-smoking campaign hoping to encourage behavior change. Though previous studies have looked at factors such as smokers' demographic and psychological state in relation to smoking preference, little effort was put to understand qualitatively the motivations for quitting smoking and strategies smokers adopted to maintain abstinence. This study utilizes in-depth interview with Chinese smokers, particularly cancer patients, to gain valuable insight of their cessation experience, especially their evaluation on the current anti-smoking campaigns. We identified that cigarettes sharing and gifting culture poses serious threat on smoking prevention while the anti-smoking campaign exerted very little influence on smoker's behavior. Recommendations were given to help design future campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to literature data, there are many causes, motives and motivations for smoking. Connecting adolescent occasional smoking with sensory experience searching can be one of the most important risk factors. The less mature the personality is, the more exposure to the challenges. There is an important influence also for the sociocultural environment in which the adolescent is socialized. Cigarette consumption might be considered as a lifestyle model. The formation of this lifestyle model in childhood and adolescence is considerable due to the socio-cultural environment in which socialization take part. The aim of this study was to analyze adolescents' smoking behavior, and family-related factors that may influence it. The self-reported questionnaire-based study was done in Mures, Harghita and Covasna counties among 7th and 8th grades students. The prevalence of smoking was 5.9% in the total sample. The results showed significant associations between smoking behavior of young people and their family background (e.g. education of parents, smoking bans at home). Results confirm that smoking prevention efforts should pay more attention to family smoking patterns, family attitudes towards smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quitting smoking is one of the biggest challenges of our time. Smartphone technology appears to be ideally suited to provide tailored smoking cessation. Analysis of existing mobile games shows three smoking secession approaches: intimidating the user through the threat of loss of life and health, motivating him to stop smoking by staying healthy, saving money, etc.; or providing smoking cessation support. The games, based on the idea of intimidation of the user, intimidate the user himself and make him feel uncomfortable. But the uncomfortable feeling of the smoker leaving behind his loved ones (especially kids) to suffer is much stronger than the fear to die; and it is hardly possible to get used to such anxiety. The paper presents a mobile game implementing a virtual dialogue of the smoking user with his child. Several times a day the user receives a virtual message from his child with a question on how many cigarettes the user has smoked during the last period of time. At the end of each day the user receives the emotional photo of his child with the text comments demonstrating the child attitude to the current smoking activity of the parent. To analyze the current state of the user in terms of his smoking activity the data on the number of smoked cigarettes is represented by a two-parameter random time series variable. Two indices reflecting the user smoking dynamics and smoking behavior are calculated as a function of this variable. The combination of the current values of indices is interpreted in terms of the smoking activity of the user. To organize a virtual dialogue of the user with his child, a nonlinear scenario is used. Some examples of the dialogue in the game are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a hypothetical framework towards the solution for reduction in smoking prevalence in Malaysia. The framework is design to assist in decision making process related to reduction in smoking prevalence using SD and OCT. In general, this framework is developed using SD approach where OCT is embedded in the policy evaluation process. Smoking prevalence is one of the determinant which plays an important role in measuring a successful implementation of anti-smoking strategies. Therefore, it is critical to determine the optimal value of smoking prevalence in order to trim down the hazardous effects of smoking to society. Conversely, smoking problem becomes increasingly complex since many issues that ranged from behavioral to economical need to be considered simultaneously. Thus, a hypothetical framework of the control model embedded in the SD methodology is expected to obtain the minimum value of smoking prevalence which the output in turn will provide a guideline for tobacco researchers as well as decision makers for policy design and evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multinomial logistic regression is used to model the outcome of a polytomous variable with categorical more than two categories and the predictors are nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. This model is used to predict the probabilities of the different possible outcomes of a categorically distributed dependent variable, given a set of independent variables. Multinomial logistic regression model also estimates a separate binary logistic regression model for each indicator variable. The result is j-1 binary logistic regression models. Each one tells the effect of the predictors on the probability of success in that category, in comparison to the reference category. The model is validated by selection of predictor variables, test of regression coefficients, a significance test of the overall model, goodness-of-fit measures and validation of predicted probabilities using odds ratio. This study used the multinomial logistic regression techniques to examine smokers' status that were affected by the Smoke-Free Melaka Campaign (SFMC) in the area of Melaka based on the demographic profile, awareness of the campaign, smoking behavior and discussion, perception and opinion of the campaign. The results indicated that the characteristics of smokers affected by the campaign were related to race, marital status, occupation, awareness of advertisements of SFMC, opinion about smoking ban in all public places in Melaka, smoking behavior in the presence of non-smoking family, smoking behavior in the presence of other smokers and also interaction between Malay and smoking behavior in the presence of non-smoking family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking cessation represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives. In this paper we present a case study of the commercial web-based freeFromNicotine course, which provides a game-based approach to smoking cessation. Participants follow a 50 day long program tailored to their individual situation. Gamification is used both as a control mechanism to measure how well the participants follow the course and to motivate the participants to complete according to plan. An important motivational element included in the design is the opportunity for participants to compete against themselves and others based on game points awarded for completing goals and assignments. Research within GBL has shown that in Pervasive Educational Games, competition has a positive impact on player participation. However, offering individually tailored courses while providing all users the opportunities to participate in the overall competition on equal terms is a challenge. This paper presents the gamification approach adapted in the course and how this affected and was perceived by the course participants. freeFromNicotine proved to be successful in getting people to quit smoking, but was not a commercial success due to marketing problems. However, participants who managed to quit smoking after completing the course mentioned competition as an important motivational factor and we can conclude that the gamification and design principles proved successful and can be deployed in other types of learning games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The usual explanation for why smoking produces dependence, focuses on the effects of nicotine on dopamine and other neurobiological explanations. It is evident that tobacco smoke contains nicotine that results in addictive stimulant. Smoking prevalence around the world has been increasing tremendously especially among youth. Identifying youth who may develop nicotine habit is an important step in preventing and controlling tobacco use, Unfortunately, to date no studies related to tobacco (shisha or cigarette) smoking dependence have been carried out in Malaysian particularly among youth. Objectives: to identify the predominant type of smoking (cigarette, shisha or both), to detect the nicotine dependency among youth as well as comparing the nicotine dependence based on the type of smoking, and also to investigate the sociodemographic characteristic of the smokers. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted, from April to July 2014 in Selangor (one of the states in Malaysia). Random sample of 500 tobacco smoker individuals at age 18-24 years old was collected. Each participant was interviewed face to face, using well-constructed questionnaire. The questionnaire contains sociodemographic characteristic and information about type of smoking (cigarette, shisha or both). In addition the 16 item related to signs and symptoms of tobacco dependence were included in this questionnaire. Using SPSS version 20, data analysis was conducted using chi square. Significantly consider when p < 0.05. Result: Prevalence of cigarette smoking was the highest (58.4%) followed by both cigarette and shisha (31.8%), while only (9.8%) of our youth smoking shisha. Regarding the nicotine dependency, interestingly we found that those who are used to smoke both (cigarette and shisha) showing significantly higher rate of nicotine dependence in 10 out of the 16 item related to sign and symptom of dependency. Conclusion and Recommendation: Smoking cigarette is the highest rate. Smoking nicotine leads to dependency. Combining both shisha and cigarette for smoking leads to higher dependency status of individual to nicotine. In respect to the nicotine dependency signs and symptoms, our study revealed that the participants who used to smoke both cigarette and shisha showed significantly the highest rates of nicotine dependency. Therefore anti-smoking campaign should be strength particularly among adolescent and youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: There are many scientific articles and studies, both at national and international level, analyzing the adolescents smoking behavior and its influencing factors. One could find much information from these studies about the adolescents smoking habits and about different prevention methods. The present article originality - at least in Romanian context - consists in two new dimensions: one is to analyse not only the smoking behavior of the adolescents, but also their exposure to second hand smoking (SHS). The other dimension is related to the proposed intervention method to reduce the prevalence of smoking (and also SHS): utilizing the community intervention method. Methodology: Three counties of Transylvania were chosen in order to shape a representative sample of 14-15 aged adolescents (in VII and VIII grade), including parameters such as the size of the settlement, type of school, location of school inside the settlement, language of education etc. For data collection a questionnaire was applied (in Romanian or Hungarian, according to the nationality of the respondents). Results: The results show that there is a high second hand smoke exposure of the adolescents in different spaces of the community where they live. Moreover the exposure of home SHS is related with lower age at first try, higher probability of tobacco usage, higher probability of smoking friends etc. Therefore we think that only a community-level intervention would produce the most efficient results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tobacco or better known as the cigarette was smoked since ages. Although many efforts had been made by the Ministry of Health to prevent or reduce the cigarette problem, the smokers still consider that cigarette are not harmful to health. This work is conducted to study the concentration of radionuclides alpha in tobacco and tobacco products in Malaysia. The radionuclide sought in this study is 210Po which is an alpha emitter. The sample used are tobacco and cigarettes, the tobacco samples were taken from tobacco farms in Malaysia while the sample branded cigarettes Marlboro and Gudang Garam were bought in the supermarket. The objectives of this study are to determine the concentration of radionuclides 210Po in tobacco and tobacco products as well as to estimate the radioactivity doses contributing to the smokers in Malaysia. The results for Marlboro cigarettes and Gudang Garam were found to be on the average radionuclide concentration of 210Po is 13.3 mBq/g (Marlboro cigarettes) and 11.9 mBq/g (Gudang Garam). From the total concentration of the cigarette, the estimated annual contribution dose to smokers for every 20 cigarettes smoked per day are 111.9 ± 14.7 μSv/year for Marlboro cigarettes and 100.2 ± 3.3 μSv/year for Gudang Garam cigarettes. The average concentration of radionuclides for tobacco leaf tobacco for each area taken is 3.6 mBq / g for Bachok, 2.4 mBq / g for Tumpat and 3.1 mBq / g for Semerak district. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the focus of the different State tobacco control programs in United States, by analyzing the mission, goals and/or objectives of each program. Semantic network analysis was used to examine the similarities and differences in word use among all 50 States. The texts of mission statements, goals and/or objectives as of 2011 were analyzed for most frequently occurring words. Then, the frequency of each word was determined for each State, resulting in a state by word matrix. This two-mode network was then analyzed. The results revealed that the more central states had higher adult and youth smoking rate, lower prices for cigarettes, lower taxes per pack, and received less in the tobacco settlement. The words 'tobacco' and 'prevention' occur most frequently and were shared by most states. The words 'smoking' and 'smoke' were peripheral indicating that the overall focus of the states' tobacco control programs is not simply to control smoking but tobacco use in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While gender and racial disparities in smoking and cessation exist, debate persists over whether different message strategies in anti-smoking campaigns are needed for these different audience subgroups. This study stems from interest in one of these strategies, namely differentiating the beliefs that might be the focus of messages for specific segments of the population. We have two aims: 1) Lay out an approach that yields evidence about the necessity for message segmentation; 2) Demonstrate and assess findings from this approach using the formative evaluation for the Philadelphia Anti-Smoking Campaign. Specifically, we examine whether associations between beliefs about quitting smoking and intention to quit are moderated by race (Black/White) or gender. Data came from a representative sample of 501 adult smokers (56% female; 46% Black) surveyed for the campaign's formative evaluation. Out of 25 beliefs about cessation, 8 were significantly related to intention to quit across all subgroups and not differently related to intention, suggesting that these would be promising beliefs for messages in a unified campaign. Three beliefs were significant for White smokers only, and two beliefs were significant for female smokers only. The evidence in this population provided little justification for the added cost of segmenting the campaign by gender or by race, and more strongly supported using a single message that could yield similar cessation outcomes in all groups of smokers while keeping message development costs low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper offers a production-of-culture exploration and critique of the guerrilla marketing practices witnessed in recent years using Foucauldian and Gramscian theories of power. Through a textual analysis of hundreds of articles in the popular and trade press and indepth interviews with 48 agency CEOs, creative directors, and brand managers, this study goes behind the scenes to examine the tactics and processes of meaning-making and co-optation informing this unconventional consumer governance. By highlighting a series of case studies - including the subcultural strategies of Pabst Blue Ribbon and the Truth anti-smoking campaign as well as examples of corporate street art and branded flash mobs - I argue that guerrilla marketing expropriates the political subversion of culture jamming for brand identity and cultivates an anti-establishment ethos and dissident aesthetics as a means of obfuscating the exercise of marketer authority and working with the momentum and resourcefulness of countercultural intransigence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of individuals' engagement in campaign-related conversation on their evaluations of anti-tobacco campaign messages and the moderating role of the smoking status of conversation participants in this process. Using nationally representative survey data related to youth's reception of anti-tobacco campaigns, we found that engagement in conversation was positively related to more positive evaluation of campaign messages and, perhaps more notably, that the smoking status of conversation participant moderated the relationship. More specifically, the positive impact of conversation on campaign evaluation was found only with non-smokers and smokers with quitting intentions, but not with smokers without quitting intentions. We discuss implications of these effects for health campaigns and campaign evaluation research, noting the need to further address the role of social networks. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines conditions under which antismoking campaigns prevent adolescent ex-smokers’ future smoking, with consideration of multiple risk and counter-risk factors of smoking. Using the 2004 National Tobacco Youth Survey data, analysis of tobit regression models reports that well-known behavioral, attitudinal, and environmental risk factors are indeed significant determinants of adolescent ex-smokers’ intention to smoke. By contrast, there is no main effect of antismoking campaigns on the participants’ intention to smoke. But the antismoking campaigns are effective only for high schoolers who reported higher levels of school training and parental discussion against smoking. The findings suggest that campaigners should consider all levels of antismoking efforts including interpersonal (e.g., school and parents) and mediated (e.g., media campaigns) sources and tailor antismoking programs to fit specific target audiences. Limitations of this study and implications for campaigners are further discussed. ..PAT.-Conference Proceeding [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which explored whether and how social warning imagery could affect tobacco smoking experimentation and cessation. Several governments reportedly introduced pictorial health warnings (PHWs) that feature medical images warning of smoking's effects to reduce smoking prevalence. The study found the efficacy of an image showing loss of attractiveness as were the addiction and de-normalization warnings.

An abstract of the article "I Don't Smoke, So I Ain't Have to Listen?: A Cross-Cultural Exploration of the Effects of Antismoking Messages on Non-Smokers' Elaboration," by Gianfranco Walsh, Louise May Hassan, and Edward Man Kee Shiu is presented.

The literature on participatory communication suggests that health development should take account of beneficiaries' autonomy in gaining control over their living environment and in improving their health. The emphasis on dialogue implies a need to develop new measures of communication for program evaluation indicating citizen input. This paper applies the theory of communicative action to evaluate dialogue in health programs. It is premised on the idea that even public information campaigns can be perceived as more or less dialogic. The applied research context was a government-sponsored smoking control campaign in Singapore. An online survey explored citizen assessments of the validity of the campaign, the perceived opportunities to express opinions, and public support for the smoking control campaign. Citizen perceptions of government communicative orientations successfully predicted their support for the anti-smoking campaign. Findings of this study provided both practical and analytical insights into dialogue assessment of health programs. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports evaluation results of an ongoing statewide tobacco countermarketing campaign in the state of Hawaii. A pre- and posttest design was used to determine changes in public perceptions and attitudes targeted by the "Clear the Smoke" campaign. Over 3000 statewide telephone surveys were conducted throughout the baseline and follow-up surveys. The results showed that the campaign achieved the short-term goals of: a) increasing public awareness about the tobacco; and b) increasing public support for the right to breathe clean air. Significant positive movement in 3 long-term goals was also identified: a) perceived importance of tobacco as a public health issue; b) public support for smoke-free public/workplace policies; and c) strengthening social norms in support of a tobacco-free lifestyle. Limitations and implications are discussed. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the research conducted by Thorulfur Thorlindsson, Icelandic sociology professor at the University of Iceland, on the physical and mental benefits of sports. According to his research, sport, in a regular basis, is one of the three factors that prevent children from substance abuse, aside from quality time with family and abstaining from alcohol. He also says that sport participation can reduce smoking among the youth.