Texas' law prohibits minors' possession of tobacco, with citation resulting in cessation class referral and/or community service, with non-compliance followed by suspension of drivers' license for 180 days depending on judiciary discretion. A youth tobacco survey was completed by 43,059 6th -12th grade students residing in east and central Texas. Thirteen percent (4348) of the students reported being daily smokers. Of these, the mean age was 15.4; 53% were male, 58% were white. Of the 4348 smokers, 756 (17%) received a citation for possession of cigarettes. Males, younger adolescents, and African American, and Hispanic adolescents were more likely to be cited than their peers (22% of males, 13% of females, 15% of Whites, 20% of African Americans, and 19% of Hispanics). A 3-item tolerance for deviance scale was regressed on demographic, cognitive, parental input, and citation variables. Results (R2=.30) indicated that male smokers (Beta=.08) and those smokers who previously received a fine for tobacco suspension (Beta=.16), and who had positive expectancies regarding cigarette use (Beta=.34) were more tolerant of deviance. Smokers whose parents told them not to smoke (Beta=-.04), who believed that smoking had negative consequences (Beta=-.14), and who were deterred by the threat of license suspension (Beta=-.11) were more intolerant of deviance.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the pattern of youth minor's possession citations in east and central Texas. 2. Describe the predictors of tolerance for deviance related to tobacco. 3. Explain the implications of deviance production by enforcement of minors' possession laws.
Keywords: Tobacco Policy, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.