Abstract
Purpose
Examine adolescents’ and young adults’ (AYAs) knowledge and perceptions about the
composition and environmental harms of cigarette filters and determine how perceptions
are associated with support for policy interventions.
Methods
Cross-sectional, convenience sample from 10 California schools. AYAs (N = 429; 70%
< 21 years) were surveyed about tobacco use, perceptions of cigarette filters, their
impact on the environment, and cigarette sales bans.
Results
Most agreed that filters are harmful to the environment and not biodegradable (89%,
n = 383 respectively); fewer knew filters are made of plastic (43%, n = 185). AYAs
who agreed that filters are harmful to the environment were more supportive of cigarette
sales bans (OR = 2.78 [95% CI: 1.18, 6.58]).
Conclusions
Knowledge of the environmental harms of cigarettes among AYAs may strengthen support
for tobacco control. More research is needed to further understand the knowledge and
attitudes about the environmental impact of tobacco and to clarify how this might
add support for tobacco-related policies.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 04, 2020
Accepted:
October 26,
2020
Received:
May 12,
2020
Footnotes
Conflicts of interest: Dr. Halpern-Felsher is a paid expert scientist in some e-cigarette litigation and an unpaid scientific advisor and expert witness regarding some tobacco-related policies. The other authors do not have any conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
