Vocational Student Tobacco Use Study
We are currently funded by the National Cancer Institute to examine the feasibility of a tailored web-based smoking cessation program, Project Quit Texas, for a racially/ethnically diverse sample of young adult smokers from lower SES backgrounds. The long-term goal of this research is to develop effective smoking cessation programs that are acceptable to and easily accessible by large numbers of young adults from low SES backgrounds that ultimately will decrease disparities in smoking-related morbidity and mortality. While the prevalence of cigarette smoking, the most common form of tobacco use, decreased for most segments of the U.S. population between 1993 and 2000, disparities persist. Young adults and individuals occupying the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) categories report the highest rates of smoking and lowest rates of cessation. Although these young adult smokers are just as likely as their higher SES peers to attempt quitting, they are less likely to use effective smoking cessation treatments and less likely to quit. Adults who occupy lower SES categories may not use effective cessation treatments due to a lack of resources, assistance, and/or support. Web-based programs tailored to individual characteristics relevant to smoking cessation are one of the only types of cessation programs that are self-directed and can reach large numbers of smokers for very little cost. An effective web-based smoking cessation program for low SES young adults can have a major impact on reducing disparities in smoking and smoking-related morbidity and mortality.
