Revision: Who Smokes, Who Does Not, and Why?

This topic submitted by Codie, Devaka, Diane, Dustin at 6:41 pm on 10/30/01. Additions were last made on Friday, April 19, 2002. Section: Wagner

Who Smokes, Who Does Not, and Why?
Codie, Devaka, Diane, Dustin, Lisa

Abstract
This experiment is designed to find whether or not people smoke and if there are correlations among the groups of smokers and non-smokers. Surveys about smoking behavior will be conducted to determine if there are any correlations between groups who smoke and do not smoke. The guiding questions of this experiment are "Who smokes, who does not, and why?" By determining which groups are more susceptible to becoming smokers and or becoming addicted to smoking it is hoped that it will become easier to prevent this behavior.

Introduction
The purpose of this experiment is to determine who smokes, who does not, and why they do or do not smoke at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. This study will try to determine at-risk groups for smoking. The major question regarding this study is "Who smokes, who does not, and why?" The hypothesis is that there are multiple factors involved in people's decisions to smoke or not to smoke. It is believed that these factors will include: being non-athletic, having parents who smoke, being pressured by peers, and being male. The null-hypothesis is that one or more of these factors will not appear to influence the decision to smoke or not to smoke.
This question is important because it will help to identify groups who are more susceptible to becoming smokers and/or becoming addicted to smoking. Knowing these factors could help in determining which groups should be targeted by anti-smoking campaigns. This could help prevent members of these groups from becoming smokers and avoid the risks to their health that smoking poses, including cancer, emphysema, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, and complications to pregnancy (Satcher 2000).

Relevance
This study is expected to yield information about the smoking habits of men and women on the Western and Main Campuses of Miami University. In conducting this experiment, an attempt will be made to uncover any distinctions and/or trends that can be made between groups of smokers. Many previous studies have been conducted in this area. For example, The Journal of Adolescent Health carried an article in 1998 entitled "Smoking Initiation in Youth: The Roles of Gender, Race, Socioeconomics, and Developmental Status." This study found that smoking was more prevalent among white children than among African American children. It also found that boys smoked more than girls (Harrell 1998). Because of this information, it is believed that males at Miami University will smoke more than females.
Harold Janson of the University of Stockholm did a study which compared the number of cigarettes smoked per day of people between the ages of 15 and 36. He found that typical development included smoking intensely, smoking less intensely for some periods, smoking intensely, then quitting before the age of 36 (1999).
Christine Jackson and Lisa Henriksen conducted a study in which they found that children who have parents who smoke, are more likely to smoke themselves (1997), thus it is believed that the study will show people with parents who smoke will be more likely to be smokers themselves.

Materials and Methods
Each group will be asked to distribute surveys and then collect completed surveys from both smokers and non-smokers on Western and Main campuses. Each group will be responsible for 25 surveys on each campus. Each individual within the group will be responsible for making sure that his or her surveys are filled out completely and accurately. We suggest that those conducting the surveys watch while the surveys are being completed and collect them immediately upon completion. Simply dropping off surveys and asking people to drop them off when they're done will not work.
The materials used will be 200 surveys, 50 for each of the four groups in the class with each survey being one half of an 8.5" by 11" piece of paper. The members of the class will be conducting the research by handing out surveys. The completed surveys will be used to make calculations concerning correlations. The data sheet will be the surveys, to be completed by survey-takers. A spreadsheet of the responses will be made to organize the results by group.

Procedure
1. Give survey to subject.
2. Assure subject that you will not attempt to learn the contents of the survey. Turn away and be certain subject does not feel watched or uncomfortable.
3. Tell subject to fill survey out truthfully and completely to the best of their knowledge or opinion.
4. Have subject fold paper in half so that information is not shown.
5. Collect survey from subject.
6. Return completed surveys on the following Tuesday.

Timeline
Tuesday(week of beginning of experiment)
Experiment will be distributed to class and explained.
Surveys will be distributed at this time.
Tuesday(the next week)
Surveys will be returned for analysis.
Tuesday(the following week)
Analysis of data should be complete.

References

Brynin, Malcolm. "Smoking Behaviour: Predisposition or Adaptation?" Journal of Adolescence, 22, 635-646, 1999.

Harrell, Joanne S., et al. "Smoking Initiation in Youth: Roles of Gender, Race, Socioeconomics, and Developmental Status." Journal of Adolescent Health, 23, 5, 271-279, 1998.

Henriksen, Lisa and Christine Jackson. "Do as I Say: Parent Smoking, Antismoking Socialization, and Smoking Onset Among Children." Addictive Behaviors, 22, 1, 107- 114, 1997.

Janson, Harold. "Longitudinal Patterns of Tobacco Smoking from Childhood to Middle Age." Addictive Behaviors, 24, 2, 239-249, 1999.

Khuder, Sadik A., et al. "Age at Smoking Onset and its Effect on Smoking Cessation." Addictive Behaviors, 24, 5, 673-677, 1999.

Satcher, Surgeon General David, "Warning Label Fact Sheet." Reducing Tobacco Use A Report of the Surgeon General. , 2000.

SURVEY

Do you smoke? Yes No
If so, how often do you smoke? (cigarettes per day) _________
How old are you? _________
How long have you smoked? ____________
What class are you in (year of graduation from college)? ___________
Why do you think most people smoke?
peer pressure family problems stress relief addiction other
Rate your activity level (in sports or in general) from 1-10 _____
Are you male or female (circle one)
Are your parents: divorced separated married re-married
Do you consider yourself to be in good physical condition? Yes No
Would you say that the majority of your friends smoke? Yes No
Does either (or both) of your parents smoke? Yes No
Define your ethnic background:____________________________________________________
physical condition? Yes No
Would you say that the majority of your friends smoke? Yes No
Does either (or both) of your parents smoke? Yes No
Define your ethnic background:____________________________________________________