Research

As the national university, we champion and support innovative research that addresses the country’s most pressing challenges.

11 Apr 2025

This study of the largest fast food group in the Philippines acquiring its competition adds to the limited, but growing, inventory of business case studies

This case is about the acquisition by the largest quick service restaurant (QSR) group in the Philippines, Jollibee Foods Corporation...

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25 Mar 2025

Tracing Darna’s roots in Filipino folk culture challenges the typically male-centered Western superhero genre

Power is one of the most distinguishing features of the superhero genre. In this regard, one of the most recognizable...

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18 Mar 2025

UP Manila

The clustering of tuberculosis cases could be linked to the El Niño phenomenon

This study focused on tuberculosis (TB) cases in Region III of the Philippines for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021,...

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17 Mar 2025

Perceived factors to teenage pregnancy such as technological influence influence the manner of delivering services

Teenage pregnancy remains to be a major concern in the health of Filipino adolescents despite the nationwide adoption of sexual...

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07 Mar 2025

UP Open University

Research uncovers new information on the voice of the Philippine flat-headed frog found only in Palawan

This study describes the call of Barbourula busuangensis, a peculiar and elusive fully aquatic frog endemic to the Palawan archipelago of...

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07 Mar 2025

UP Manila

High levels of body association lowers the risk of depression, anxiety and stress among Filipino emerging adults

Among Filipino emerging adults, prevalence rates of severe and extreme levels of depression, anxiety, and stress are relatively high. High...

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07 Mar 2025

Research uncovers new information on the voice of the Philippine flat-headed frog found only in Palawan

This study describes the call of Barbourula busuangensis, a peculiar and elusive fully aquatic frog endemic to the Palawan archipelago...

Read More

06 Mar 2025

Lemongrass has the potential to control the growth of fungi from skin mycoses, foodborne illnesses and opportunistic infections

Lemongrass is an abundant medicinal plant that is used as an herbal remedy for fungal infections. Despite being widespread, to...

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04 Mar 2025

UP Diliman

A hybrid Internet of Things-based smart system performs better than a purely wireless sensor in monitoring indoor hydroponics farms

Internet of Things (IoT) is a one of the technologies that are being applied to various applications and scenarios. This...

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28 Feb 2025

UP Diliman

Transforming higher education requires a more diverse and inclusive landscape especially for women and minority groups in STEAM

This research dives into how higher education can be transformed through leadership focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). In...

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26 Feb 2025

UP Diliman

The proposed Input-Process-Output-Outcome/Result Model evaluates the success of the Philippine Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission

The paper discusses the various institutions, laws, policies and programs of Olympic governance in the Philippines from the American era...

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25 Feb 2025

UP Diliman

Approximately 30% of older adults worldwide suffer from falls each year, making falls a critical public health issue

This study utilized baseline survey data from the Longitudinal Study of Ageing and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP) and the...

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Research

Understanding the relationship between age at smoking initiation and later smoking intensity is crucial for assessing future health consequences of smoking early and informing strategies to prevent and reduce tobacco use. This study explores the relationship between the two smoking-related behaviors among Filipino daily smokers.

Secondary data analyses from the 2021 Global Adult Tobacco Survey Philippines were performed. This study covers those who reported being daily smokers. The outcome of interest was smoking intensity measured as the number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day, while the main predictor was age at smoking initiation. Data from 2,260 participants were analyzed. Negative binomial regression was used to test for the relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity while controlling for socio-demographic variables and other smoking-related behaviors.

The average age at which daily smoking commenced was 20.93 (SD=6.35) years, while the average number of manufactured cigarettes consumed per day was 9.50 (SD=7.26). Age at smoking initiation was a significant predictor of smoking intensity, even after controlling for potential confounders. Each additional year of age at which smoking was initiated was associated with a 1.55% decrease in smoking intensity in the adjusted model. Other predictors of smoking intensity were current age, sex, and smoking rules at home.

Greater smoking intensity may be linked to early smoking initiation among Filipino adult daily smokers. The results may support interventions that target younger ages to curb heavy tobacco use at later ages.

The relationship between age at smoking initiation and smoking intensity has not yet been studied in the country. Thus, this study not only contributes to the understanding of the behavioral and health trajectories of Filipinos who start smoking at an early age, but also to the development of policies and programs aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco use among Filipinos.

Author: Samuel Brando H. Piamonte (Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila)

Read the full paper: https://www.tobaccopreventioncessation.com/Greater-smoking-intensity-may-be-linked-to-early-smoking-initiation-among-Filipinos,194485,0,2.html

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