"As long as cigar smoking is promoted in popular culture as a desirable activity for successful and influential adults, it will appeal to adolescents."

Exposure of Adolescent Girls to Cigar Images in Women’s Magazines,1992–1998, American Journal of Public Health February 2001, Vol. 91, No. 2 at pp.286-288

Objectives. The study assessed the exposure of adolescent girls to cigar images in women’s magazines from 1992 to 1998 and the influence of the media on cigar smoking initiation.

Methods. Data were obtained from the 5 women’s magazines with the highest readership of adolescent girls.

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of cigar images from 1992 through 1998 in women’s magazines with the highest adolescent female readership.

[NTD:] The onset of cigarette smoking by adolescents is associated with cigarette advertising and promotion.

The study yielded several important findings. First, the appearance of cigar images in women’s magazines and the portrayal of women cigar smokers increased significantly over the 7 years reviewed. Second, most cigar images were not linked to a commercial product, which suggests that cigar promotion did not require direct advertising. Finally, the cigar images that were displayed often featured well-known people who are admired by adolescents.

A 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 22% of the adolescents in grades 9 through 12 were current cigar smokers, having smoked a cigar at least once in the 30 days preceding the survey. The same study indicated that 11% of the girls in grades 9 through 12 were current cigar smokers.  A 1996 survey conducted by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health indicated that more than 30% of the girls in 11th grade had smoked a cigar in their lifetime.

In conclusion the study found additional discussions were necessary: "Several issues demand further research, including the health effects of occasional cigar smoking on youths, the health implications of cigar smoking for females, the relation between cigar smoking and cigarette smoking among adolescents, and the influence of the media on cigar smoking initiation."

"As long as cigar smoking is promoted in popular culture as a desirable activity for successful and influential adults, it will appeal to adolescents"

Is it just the lure of the cigar? Power, lust and greed are promoted daily, by subliminal message and through in-your-face advertising. We are responsible for the impression upon our youth - Fact: the media has got a tight hold, anything goes and sex sells.

is it too late - perhaps.



A Life in Transition-Cigar Anyone?

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