Michelle O’Hegarty, PhD, Linda L. Pederson, PhD, Gayane Yenokyan, MD, MPH, David Nelson, MD, MPH, Pascale Wortley, MD, MPH

Suggested citation for this article: O’Hegarty M, Pederson LL, Yenokyan G, Nelson D, Wortley P. Young adults’ perceptions of cigarette warning labels in the United States and Canada. Prev Chronic Dis [serial online] 2007
Apr [date cited]. Available from:
http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/
apr/06_0024.htm.  

PEER REVIEWED  

Abstract

Introduction 

For the past 20 years, there have been no changes to the text-only cigarette warning labels in the United States. During this same time period, other countries placed large graphic warning labels on cigarette packages. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reactions of
U.S. young adult smokers and nonsmokers aged 18 to 24 years to Canadian cigarette label
text and graphic warnings. The study focused on determining their perceptions and
the potential impact of Canadian labels on smoking, and study participants were asked for suggestions for modifications of U.S. cigarette warning labels so they would be effective for smoking deterrence and cessation.  

Methods 

During January and February 2002, 11 focus groups consisting of 54 smokers and 41 nonsmokers were conducted in the Detroit metropolitan area. Current smokers were defined as those who had smoked a cigarette within the past 30 days. Participants were asked about their knowledge and perceptions of current U.S. cigarette warning labels and their impressions of Canadian cigarette warning
labels.  

Analysis 

A content analysis and a word index were
applied to the transcripts of all focus groups to identify and clarify
themes and domains that appeared in group discussions and to compare results
across different groups.  

Results 

Focus group participants reported that Canadian cigarette warning labels were
more visible and informative than U.S. cigarette warning labels. Messages
perceived to be relevant to smokers were considered effective. Education level
did not appear related to how participants responded to warning labels. There
were some differences for warning labels that had sex-specific messages.  

Discussion 

Warning labels are one component of comprehensive tobacco control and smoking cessation efforts. Stronger warnings on cigarette packages need to be part of a larger U.S. public health educational effort. 

Christina D. Williams, PhD, MPH; Brian M. Whitley, MD; Cathrine Hoyo, PhD, MPH; Delores J. Grant, PhD; Gary G. Schwartz, PhD; Joseph C. Presti, Jr, MD; Jared D. Iraggi; Kathryn A. Newman; Leah Gerber; Loretta A. Taylor; Madeline G. McKeever; Stephen J. Freedland, MD

Suggested citation for this article: Williams CD, Whitley BM, Hoyo C, Grant DJ, Schwartz GG, Presti JC Jr, et al. Dietary calcium and risk for prostate cancer: a case-control study among US veterans. Prev Chronic Dis 2012;9:110125. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110125.

PEER REVIEWED

Abstract

Introduction

The objective of this study was to examine the association between calcium
intake and prostate cancer risk. We hypothesized that calcium intake would be
positively associated with lower risk for prostate cancer.

Methods

We used data from a case-control study conducted among veterans between 2007 and
2010 at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The study consisted of 108
biopsy-positive prostate cancer cases, 161 biopsy-negative controls, and 237
healthy controls. We also determined whether these associations differed for
blacks and whites or for low-grade (Gleason score <7) and high-grade prostate
cancer (Gleason score ≥7). We administered the Harvard food frequency
questionnaire to assess diet and estimate calcium intake. We used logistic
regression models to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Intake of calcium from food was inversely related to risk for prostate cancer
among all races in a comparison of cases and biopsy-negative controls (P =
.05) and cases and healthy controls (P = .02). Total calcium was
associated with lower prostate cancer risk among black men but not among white
men in analyses of healthy controls. The highest tertile of calcium from food
was associated with lower risk for high-grade prostate cancer in a comparison of
high-grade cases and biopsy-negative controls (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.90) and
high-grade cases and healthy controls (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.86).

Conclusion

Calcium from food is associated with lower risk for prostate cancer,
particularly among black men, and lower risk for high-grade prostate cancer
among all men.