Efficacy of a group-based brief tobacco intervention among young adults aged 18–20 years in the US Air Force

Abstract

Introduction Most smokers begin using tobacco before the age of 25 years, making it important to reduce tobacco use during adolescence and early adulthood. Rates of use are historically higher among military personnel. While ‘Tobacco 21’ made it illegal for US retailers to sell tobacco to those aged <21 years, the policy did not address cessation for current youth and young adult tobacco users. Additionally, there is limited research on cessation interventions among young adults under 21 years. The current study evaluated the efficacy of a group-based Brief Tobacco Intervention (BTI) among US Air Force trainees, who are predominantly aged 18–20 years and directly impacted by Tobacco 21 legislation. Methods Participants were 2969 US Air Force Trainees from April 2017 through January 2018 cluster randomized to three conditions: 1) BTI + Airman’s Guide to Remaining Tobacco Free (AG), 2) AG alone, and 3) the National Cancer Institute’s Clearing the Air (CTA) pamphlet. To assess the efficacy of the interventions among people aged 18– 20 years, a domain analysis (<21 years, n=2117; and ≥21 years, n=852) of a multinomial logistic regression model was run. Results Mono tobacco users aged <21 years at baseline who received the BTI+AG had higher odds of quitting tobacco at 3 months (OR=2.13; 95% CI: 1.02–4.46). Dual and poly users aged <21 years at baseline who received the BTI+AG intervention had higher odds of reducing the number of tobacco products used at 3 months (OR=2.94; 95% CI: 1.03–8.37). Conclusions The BTI was effective for people aged 18–20 years. The current study offers insight into components of interventions that might be successful in helping this age group decrease tobacco use.

Keywords

• tobacco
• young adults
• military
• cessation
• ends