Table 2 Description of predictors used in multivariate multilevel analyses.
| Predictor at wave 1 | Description |
|---|---|
| Individual level | |
| Race/ethnicity | White, Asian, Native American, or other race (reference group); Hispanic (yes, no); African American (yes, no) |
| Age | Age in years at wave 1 |
| Parent structure | Lived with two biological parents (yes, no) |
| Family bonding | Mean of four questions on a five point Likert scale regarding respondent's feelings about family bonding (for example, How much do you feel that your family pays attention to you?) |
| Availability of cigarettes at home | Are cigarettes easily available to you in your home? (yes, no) |
| Best friends' smoking | Of your three best friends, how many smoke at least one cigarette a day?— None smoked (reference group); one smoked (yes, no); two smoked (yes, no); three smoked (yes, no) |
| School level | |
| Smoking student rates at school | Percentage of students, who responded at least “once or twice” to Q: During the past 12 months, how often did you smoke cigarettes? |
| State level tobacco control policies | |
| Statewide enforcement | Establishes a clearly designated statewide enforcement authority for sales. |
| Random inspections | Establishes random, unannounced inspections of retailers as part of the enforcement mechanism, using underage buyers for the purpose of identifying violators, and does not prohibit other use of minors to test compliance. |
| Graduated penalties | Establishes a system of graduated penalties or fines applicable to all youth access laws, to be levied within three years, plus possibility of suspension or revocation of a required tobacco retail licence for repeated sales to minors. |
| Photo identification | Requires merchants to request photographic identification for customers who appear to be under 21 years of age. |
| Free distribution | Total ban on distribution of free tobacco samples, coupons for free samples, or rebates. |
| Minimum age | Prohibits the sale or distribution of any tobacco products to persons less than 18 years of age through any sales or distribution outlet, and a warning sign is required at point of purchase with specific penalty for failing to post a sign. |
| Packaging | Prohibits all cigarette sales other than in a sealed package conforming to federal labelling requirements. |
| Vending machines | Total ban on sale of all tobacco products through vending machines in all locations. |
| Clerk intervention | Prohibits access to or purchase of tobacco products without the intervention of a sales clerk. |
| State total score | Sum score of the nine items above* |
| State cigarette excise tax in 1995 | State cigarette excise tax in dollars |
*See Alciati et al for further information about the rating system.