The effect of advertising and availability on the smoking prevalence of adolescent school children

  • Research program:
  • Project status: Completed
  • Start date: May 1991
  • Expected end date: July 1992
  • Completion date: March 2000
  • Funded by: WA Health Department & NCRPDA
  • Lead organisation:

A study conducted in 1987 by the Department of Health WA, showed a positive correlation between the amount of advertising and the number of cigarette outlets within a 1 kilometre radius of each school surveyed. Since then a number of factors have changed. In 1987, the fine for selling cigarettes to a person under 18 years of age was $4.00. This has substantially changed and from the beginning of 1991 the minimum fine is $5, 000 and the maximum $20, 000. In addition, all shop cigarette advertising was to be phased out over 1992. This was an ideal opportunity to measure the impact of the increased fines on cigarette availability for adolescents and to assess the number of 15 year olds who regularly smoke before advertising was phased out. This study provided some excellent baseline data with which to measure the effect of the removal of shop cigarette advertising. The survey was jointly conducted by the Health Department of WA and the NCRPDA and involved 12 high schools with approximately 200 Year 10 students from each school. A 20 minute questionnaire was administered by teaching staff. The schools received a general health profile of the Year 10 students at their school and comparisons were made against state statistics if the school wished. Data collection in the schools and analysis has been completed, along with an assessment of cigarette advertising and availability of cigarettes to minors. A total of 132 retail outlets (newsagents, supermarkets and delicatessens) were identified in the area surrounding the 12 schools involved. In June 1992 two 16 year old school students attempted to purchase a packet of cigarettes in each of these outlets. The results of this exercise was related to consumption data from individual schools.

Name & Contact Details Role Research Program Location
  • Project staff: Susan Carruthers, Curtin University
  • Project staff: K Clarke,

This project aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals and Targets: