Tobacco Documents Online

A Review Of Studies And Research Regarding Teen-Age Cigarette Smoking Habits And Purchases Only 2 Out Of 10 Teen-Agers Smoke Only 1 Out Of 10 Teen-Age Smokers Purchases Cigarettes Over 97 Per Cent Of Teen-Age Smokers Do Not Buy From Vending Machines Compiled From Major Research Studies And Published By National Automatic Merchandising Association 7 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 1977 T105390095

Available Studies And Information The most comprehensive research on teen-age smoking habits and behavior are the 1968, 1970, 1972 and 1974 Teen-Age Smoking studies undertaken by the National Clearinghouse for Smoking and Health and the 1963 Gilbert Youth Research Study. In addition, the Technical Information Office of the Clearinghouse maintains an extensive computerized file for the ye.ars 197,0 through 19.75 on teen-age smoking literature. A study of all these sources shows that smoking by teen-agers has declined since 1963 and that the main factors which influence teen-age smoking continue to be "whether a teen-ager's parents smoke," "peer group examples and pressures," and "the desire to be adult." Results of the only known research on sources where teen-agers obtain their cigarettes, the Gilbert Study and the 1972-74 National Clearinghouse study, differ in some respects but they demonstrate conclusively that vending machines play virtually no role in teen-age smoking or purchase of cigarettes by teen-agers. Where Teen-Agers Obtain Their Cigarettes Only 1 in 10 teen-age smokers purchases his cigarettes (10.4 per cent of those "who currently smoke cigarettes"). Only 1.9 per cent of a// teen-agers (ages 12-18) purchase their cigarettes. Of those who "smoke currently," 89.2 per cent obtain their cigarettes from friends, 94.1 per cent from relatives, and 98.4 per cent from "other sources" (which do not include "purchases").* (The reason for the overlap in sources is that teen-agars said they obtain cigarctt¢~ from several of the above sources). *According to Chilton Research Services, which conducted the comprehensive 1972-74 "Teen-Age Smoking" study for the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of HEW. TI05390096

The Gilbert Youth Research Study, conducted in 1963, dealt specifically with "purchasing habits."* It showed that 72.2 per cent of teen-agers who smoked obtained their cigarettes most frequently by purchasing them. This is significantly higher than the U.S. government- sponsored research of 11 years later (cited above). The Gilbert Study also showed that of those who "most frequently obtained their cigarettes through purchase, 73. 1 per cent bought them most frequently over the counter" primarily in drug stores, supermarkets and small food stores. Vending Machines As A Source For Teen-Age Smokers Only 10.4 per cent of teen-age smokers purchase their cigarettes.** Only a fraction of this "one-tenth of teen smokers segment" could possibly be using vending machines as a source. If one applies the Gilbert findings*** to the U.S. Government study results of 1974, 21.4 per cent of the 10.4 per cent who purchase cigarettes would be less than 2.S per cent. Therefore fewer than 2.5 per cent of teen-agers who currently smoke purchase their cigarettes from vending machines. Conversely, 97.5 per cent of teen-agers who smoke obtain their cigarettes from sources other than vending machines (friends, relatives, other sources such as drug stores, supermarkets, etc.). *Interviews with 1,988 teen-agers 13 through 18 years old. *'1974 U.S. Government Teen-Age Smoking Study. ***Gilbert showed that only 21.4 per cent of the teen-age cigarette purchasers most frequently buy from vending machines. T105390097

How Many Teen-Agers Smoke? The Gilbert Study found that 71 per cent of all teen-agers did not smoke cigarettes. The 1974 U.S. Government Teen-Age Smoking research found that 81.5 per cent presently do not smoke. This figure of diminished teen-age smoking is supported by the 1968, 1970 and 1972 government reports (which did not vary significantly from the 1974 results). The Seventh National Opinion Survey of Who's Who In American High Schools also supports these findings.* It shows that only 8 per cent smoke and that 80 per cent have never smoked. It is interesting to note that while the study is composed of high school student leaders, it closely follow~ the broader-based U.S. Government studies. Influence Of Parents Is Significant Whether the parents smoke is the most important influence on whether teen-agers smoke according to the many reports which deal with the reasons for teen-age smoking. When both parents smoke, teen-agers are twice as likely to smoke as when neither parent smokes (22.2 per cent of boys when both parents smoke vs. 11.3 per cent when neither parent smokes).** The extensive literature of behavior research on file at the Center For Disease Control in Atlanta points up that parental and sibling smoking habits, teen-age peers' influence, and the desire to appear adult are the most important factors in creating the smoking habit of teen-agers. *Conducted in 1976 among 24,000 teen-agers. *'1974 U.S. Government Study T!05390098

Cigarette Retailing Statistics o 1976 Smokers spent $14 billion for cigarettes in the United States in 1976. What was the distribution pattern of these sales? Conventional retail establishments 69% Supermarkets 40% Small groceries 8% Gonvenience stores 7% Drug stores 6% Military distribution 5% Discount stores 3% Vending machines Service stations Other 15% 4% 12% Compiled from trade sources by the National Automatic Merchandising A~ociation T105390099