Young adults aged from 16 onwards, particularly those on low incomes, are the most likely age group to take up smoking. While many believe they can easily quit before suffering any health hazards, most will become long-term smokers and half will die of a smoking-related disease. Most will soon regret having started smoking. This raises questions about risk awareness and how well these young people really understand the consequences of their behaviour.
Tobacco companies claim smoking to be an ‘informed choice’, arguing that the risks are well known. They conclude that those taking it up must therefore understand its addictiveness and accept the consequences. But how many young people undertake an in-depth risk-benefit analysis and then make an informed choice to start or continue smoking?
Professors Janet Hoek and Richard Edwards from the University of Otago have been awarded a Marsden Fund grant to explore the circumstances around the onset of smoking among young adults, focusing on this assumption of informed choice.
The researchers will conduct in-depth interviews with young adults of many ethnicities who have recently taken up smoking, either daily or only socially. They will explore the degree to which young adults exercise informed choice when they start smoking, and how regret about their actions evolves.
Policy makers, service providers and commentators will also be interviewed to test the feasibility, likely acceptance and impact of possible interventions. Focus groups with smokers will evaluate their views and likely responses to such interventions.
The findings will provide the first insights into how those at greatest risk understand the informed choice they are assumed to make, and will inform the development of preventive interventions.
From left to right in the photo: Janet Hoek, Anne Jones and Richard Edwards, who have established a new tobacco research collaboration, ASPIRE2025
Total Funding: $615,000 over 3 years
Researchers:
Professor Janet Hoek, School of Business, University of Otago
Tel: +64 (0)3 479 7692
Email: janet.hoek@otago.ac.nz
Professor Richard Edwards, Department of Public Health, University of Otago
