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The purpose of this study was to identify patterns of tobacco initiation, current use, and smoking cessation and their correlates in the adult American Indian population in the Twin Cities, using community-based participatory research methods. A total of 300 American Indians aged 18 years or older participated in in-person interviews. Participants were recruited to fill age-gender quotas that reflect the demographic distribution of American Indians in Minnesota. Almost everyone in this sample had smoked cigarettes recreationally: Only 12% had smoked fewer than 100 cigarettes, and nearly two-thirds (62%) reported that they were current smokers. Only 29% of ever-smokers had quit smoking. More than two-thirds (68%) of current smokers would like to quit, and most of them (53% of all smokers) had tried unsuccessfully to quit in the previous 12 months. Our results show a level of current smoking and low cessation rates among American Indians in the Twin Cities area that reflect a crisis for public health and for the Indian community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Policymakers, researchers, and citizens are beginning to recognize the need to limit minors' access to tobacco by restricting the sale of cigarettes through vending machines. One policy alternative that has been proposed by the tobacco industry is a requirement that vending machines be fitted with electronic locking devices. This study evaluates such a policy as enacted in St. Paul, Minnesota. Methods. A random sample of vending machine locations was selected for cigarette purchase attempts conducted before implementation and at 3 and 12 months postimplementation. Results. The rate of noncompliance by merchants was 34% after 3 months and 30% after 1 year. The effect of the law was to reduce the ability of a minor to purchase cigarettes from locations originally selling cigarettes through vending machines from 86% at baseline to 36% at 3 months. The purchase rate at these locations rose to 48% at 1 year. Conclusions. Our results suggest that cigarette vending machine locking devices may not be as effective as vending machine bans and require additional enforcement to ensure compliance with the law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]