Good morning…I just have to say who on earth does these studies? And why do they get paid to do it or better yet why allow they to post it…
BEAUMONT, Texas — Teenagers in a southeast Texas county were more likely to smoke cigarettes if they or their family members were affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita, according to a university study.
The study by the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston surveyed more than 5,100 middle school and high school students in Jefferson County six to nine months after the hurricanes made landfall.
"The physical damage was easy to see, but the psychological damage from the hurricanes was pretty well hidden," said Alfred L. McAlister, a behavioral scientist and an author of the study. "The hurricanes had an emotional impact on the youth and we need to recognize that and give them the help they need. Otherwise, they use tobacco as a crutch and then they become addicted."
Almost 38 percent of students who reported they had a family member hurt or killed in the 2005 hurricanes also reported that they now were smoking, according to the study. In comparison, 13 percent who did not endure a death or injury in the family said they smoked.
Smoking rates were also higher among Jefferson County students whose homes were damaged or destroyed or if they had family or friends with damaged or destroyed homes, according to the study.
Students who still were living in temporary housing and who were absent from school for more than two months due to the hurricanes were two times more likely to smoke than their counterparts.
About 22 percent of American teenagers smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
McAlister said the study shows teens turned to smoking to cope with the disruption.
"Raised stress levels lead to more smoking," he said. "It was not shocking to find that relationship after the hurricanes."
Ok after all that mumbo bumbo about Katrina and Hurricanes linked to teenage smoking…how about stress, let’s just back up the train of thought here and help those researchers and perhaps they will change their minds and just blame stress on it all. Mize well add ETA CARINAE’S presence in there as well, and the high cost of gas for the cars they soon will drive or already driving. Jaws the movie might have some effect on their smoking although smoking in water can be hazardous to ones health especially if there is outboard motor fuel laying on top of the water… Alrighty then I think we can safely say stress is more the cause then an act of nature’s furies or anything of that nature… Oh well, how about those kids who were arrested for performing a “Senoir-Prank” in TOTOWA, NJ… kids will do their best to get noticed and out do the other prior class…but, let’s have half a brain here and not pull off a stunt that has anything to do with bombs or harm they may cause… Oh well not even worth a second entry…
But this is. May I wish you a wonderful day in what ever it is you have going and may that be great in everyway.
A huge hug, a pat and I am off until another day…
Mart
