Socioeconomic Inequalities In Youth Smoking

Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent smoking behaviour and neighbourhood access to tobacco products.

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Geography at University of Canterbury by Christopher John Bowie
2011

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Abstract
Youth smoking is an important aspect of tobacco research as most adult smokers first experiment with and initiate tobacco use during their adolescence. Policy makers and researchers have given youth smoking issues a significant amount of attention over the last 20 years and this has led to significant reductions in youth smoking prevalence in New Zealand. More recently the decline in youth smoking prevalence has reached a plateau.
Evidence now
In New Zealand analysis of this type has mainly focused on adult smoking behaviour and the effect of tobacco outlet access is as yet unstudied.
This study examines the effect of neighbourhood and high school socioeconomic status on adolescent smoking behaviour, attitudes and beliefs in Christchurch. Using information from the 2006 New Zealand Census, spatial variations in reported neighbourhood smoking prevalence have been examined. In addition, analysis of responses to smoking questions in the 2008
Year 10 In-depth Survey have been carried out show how school socioeconomic status can influence underlying attitudes and beliefs young people hold towards smoking and tobacco products. Spatial analysis has also been performed on the census dataset to investigate the relationship between neighbourhood access to tobacco outlets and youth smoking behaviour after controlling for neighbourhood deprivation. To supplement each of these quantitative data sources, focus group interviews were carried out at two high schools (one low and one high socioeconomic status). Findings from
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Recommendations for future research ..................................................... 162
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Summary............................................................................................................ 164

References ..............................................................................................................165
Appendices .............................................................................................................177
Appendix 1 – focus group interview moderating guide..................................... 177
Appendix 2 – focus group information and parental consent forms ............. 179
Appendix 3 – focus group transcripts .................................................................... 181

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Table of Figures
FIGURE 1: THESIS STRUCTURE ................................................................................................................ 9
FIGURE 2: NEW ZEALAND ADOLESENT FEMALE SMOKING RATES BY ETHNICITY .................................. 72
FIGURE 3: NEW ZEALAND ADOLESCENT MALE SMOKING RATES BY ETHNICITY ....................................