Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of young people toward tobacco control and explore the association between these attitudes and both smoking intentions and behavior.
Methods: The study used data from a national survey of 14- and 15-year-old students in New Zealand (NZ) investigating tobacco use and attitudes. Attitudes to tobacco control were assessed using student responses to 7 statements relating to specific tobacco control measures; outdoor smoking bans, increased and hypothecated tax, display bans, plain packaging, and reduced access. Analysis was conducted on a final sample of 24,495 students aged 14-15 years. Chi-square testing was used to determine group differences in smoking status and attitudes toward tobacco control measures, while logistic regression was used to test associations between youth attitudes and both smoking susceptibility and current smoking.
Results: Our results demonstrate youth support for tobacco control interventions in NZ. Commercial access measures received the most support, while plain packaging and display bans were the least supported measures among young people. Young people's attitudes toward tobacco control measures were found to be associated with smoking behavior; those who were opposed to measures were more likely to be susceptible to smoking or be current smokers.
Conclusions: Young people in NZ have opinions when it comes to tobacco control, and it is important to investigate these when developing tobacco control policies that are aimed to have an effect on this demographic. The results provide evidence to support the proposed "end game" strategies currently being considered in NZ.