Mona Sundh

The importance of a minimum age law for the possibility of purchase of tobacco by adolescents: a study based on Swedish experiences

Aims: The purpose of the study is partly to compare the possibility of adolescents purchasing tobacco before and after the introduction of the minimum age law of 18 years, respectively, and partly to examine the factors that characterize the situations in which adolescents may or may not purchase tobacco, respectively. Methods: Under controlled conditions, adolescents of varying ages carried out test purchases of tobacco. A total of 1,500 attempted purchases were made with the help of 24 adolescents in three regions of Sweden. In 1996, the year before a minimum-age law of 18 for tobacco purchases went into effect, 750 attempted purchases were made, followed by 750 attempted purchases in 1999. Results: In 1996, 91% of the attempted purchases of tobacco were successful. In 1999, the corresponding proportion was 82%. The attempted purchases in 1996 and 1999 show a very strong relationship between whether an age check was made and the result of the attempted purchase. Conclusions: The study shows that the introduction of a minimum-age law apparently has had a certain effect on the possibility of adolescent purchasing tobacco but that there are obvious shortcomings in the enforcement of the minimum age. The most apparent shortcoming concerns the lack of age controls. This article discusses measures for strengthening age controls in the sale of tobacco to adolescents.

Effects of a minimum-age tobacco law – Swedish experience

The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of the prerequisites for tobacco prevention. The situations before and after the introduction of a minimum-age law were compared with respect to opportunities for adolescents to buy tobacco, and to attitudes towards the law. Data were collected in 1996 and 2000 with a questionnaire among all pupils in years 7 and 9 of compulsory school, and among pupils in year 2 of upper-secondary school in three regions of Sweden. Tobacco had become less available from shops, while there was an increase in the proportion of adolescents who buy tobacco from friends. Among smokers the support for this law was higher in 2000 than 1996, while the pattern among non-smokers was not consistent across age-groups or gender. Regardless of smoking habits, age-group and gender, the proportion of adolescents who believed that the law had an effect in reducing smoking had decreased. The changes described in this article are discussed in terms of the different ways available to improve the implementation of the minimum-age law.

Public sector lay-offs in Sweden and the effect on women’s health

Possible changes in the health of women who were laid off from permanent posts in the county council of Varmland are identified. The factors which influence the possible changes in health and well-being induced by the lay-offs are examined. The study is both descriptive in nature and hypothesis-generating. The data were collected by means of a postal questionnaire (response rate of 86%). The study population consists primarily of assistant nurses and nurse aides. The results suggest significant changes in the health of the great majority of women who were laid off. In those cases in which a change has occurred, the change has more often been of a negative rather than a positive nature. The results show that there is a correlation between possible changes in health and the way in which the women have reacted to the lay-offs.

Perception of time in relation to work and private life among Swedish social workers – the temporal clash between the organisation and the individual

ABSTRACT Time, or rather lack of time, is currently an issue to many involved in social work, in Sweden and elsewhere. Stress at work is presently one of the most common reasons social workers state for leaving their profession or their workplace. This article examines how time is perceived in relation to work and private life by employees in the social services. The investigation was conducted as a qualitative interview study with six social workers. An abductive approach was adopted in the analysis. The results indicate a general experience of lack of time and an individual perception of time among the interviewees. What they say about time indicates that they have a monochronic perspective on time. It is also shown that the respondents use different curbing strategies to recuperate. At work, strategies take the form of creating recovery arenas allowing for micropauses such as eating an apple or having a cup of coffee. After work, exercising or strolling in the woods are common strategies. In relation to the employer and the organisation individuals also assume responsibility for organisational shortcomings that they cannot influence.