Factors related to abstinence in a telephone helpline for smoking cessation.

Background: Studies indicate that shortage of cessation counsellors may be a major barrier for tobacco prevention among physicians. Telephone helplines (quitlines) may be an option. The effectiveness of the Swedish quitline and factors related to abstinence from smoking 12 months after the first contact were assessed.

Cigarette smoking, snuff use and alcohol drinking: coexisting risk behaviours for oral health in young males.

Objectives: The use of oral moist snuff (snus) is widespread among Swedish men, but little is known about the use in adolescents. The aim of this study was to describe patterns of snuff dipping, smoking and alcohol drinking in a sample (n = 6287) of 9th grade male students participating in a census survey in the Stockholm region.

Results: About 20% of the sample reported use of snus, and more than two-thirds of snus users were also cigarette smokers.

School and family participation in a longitudinal study of tobacco use: some methodological notes.

School-based recruitment of youth for a research purpose is problematic, as one has to deal with multiple ethical and practical constraints. This study reports on predictors of schools' and families' participation in a longitudinal study of tobacco use among 11-year-old children. School size, but not tobacco policy, was linked to participation.

General practitioners' perceived barriers to smoking cessation-results from four Nordic countries.

Aims: Studies indicate that doctors may be reluctant to discuss smoking with their patients. Knowledge about how this problem might be solved is limited. The aim of this study was to identify barriers for engaging in tobacco prevention in general practice.

Early gender differences in adolescent tobacco use--the experience of a Swedish cohort.

Background: In Sweden, the prevalence of tobacco use in the youth population differs by product and gender, but there are no longitudinal studies of gender differences in the uptake of smoking and use of oral snuff (OS).

Methods: A prospective cohort study ongoing in the County of Stockholm, encompassing 3,019 children recruited in 1997 in the fifth grade of compulsory school, of whom 96% were followed-up in the sixth grade.

Results: At baseline, 22% of the boys and 15% of the girls had ever smoked, respectively 8% and 3% had ever used oral moist snuff.

Between harm and dangers. Oral snuff use, cigarette smoking and problem behaviours in a survey of Swedish male adolescents.

Background: The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use (moist snuff) in Sweden is among the highest world-wide, and snuff is gaining popularity as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes.

Methods: Patterns of current tobacco use and indicators of behavioural problems were analysed in a sample of 6287 boys participating in a census survey among 9th graders in Stockholm County, Sweden.

Results: Among participants reporting current use of oral snuff (OS) the majority (71%) also smoked cigarettes.