Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance Study
TATAMS is the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance Study.
The goal is to understand what types of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) devices, like e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products, like cigarettes, cigars, and hookah, youth and young adults are using and why they use those products. Additionally, we study the effect of tobacco product marketing and other factors (e.g., product characteristics, intrapersonal and interpersonal influences) on youth tobacco use.
Results from TATAMS are used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to inform regulations on the manufacturing, sales, and marketing of tobacco products. This regulation is designed, in turn, to prevent the onset and progression of tobacco use among young people. Its findings also inform the development and implementation of interventions (e.g., school-based programs, media campaigns) to prevent the onset and progression in e-cigarette and other tobacco use behaviors among young people.
TATAMS is a 10 year research study that began in 2014. It is funded by the National Institutes of Health.
We collect the following data:
- In 2014, we asked approximately 4,000 youth in grades 6th, 8th, and 10th across major metropolitan areas in the state of Texas (Houston, Dallas-Ft Worth, San Antonio, Austin) to enroll in our study.
- On enrollment, students participated in a web-based survey in school about their e-cigarette and other tobacco use, administered on tablets. Approximately every 6 months thereafter, a web-based survey has been administered outside of schools on students’ own tablet, computer, or smartphone.
- Participants have the opportunity to complete up to 14 surveys, through 2021. In 2021, these students will have all finished high school and will be 1, 3, and 5 years post-graduation.
- In addition to these surveys, we also documented the tobacco and e-cigarette advertisements around the middle schools and high schools that our survey participants attended.
Study Design
The Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance Study (TATAMS) is a longitudinal surveillance study of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) devices and other tobacco use behaviors among youth and young adults living in major metropolitan areas of Texas (Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio).
Study Participants
Three population-based cohorts of adolescents in the 6th (n=1,122; N=148,465), 8th (n=1,322; N=160,080), and 10th grade (n=1,463; N=152,524) were recruited from Texas middle and high schools (n=79; N=1,364) in 2014-15, using complex probability sampling methods. TATAMS continues to follow these 3 cohorts as they transition from adolescence into young adulthood.
Per data from the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, and the National Center for Education Statistics, the sampling frame accounted for 97% of 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students in these areas, and more than 40% of all 6th, 8th, and 10th grade students in all of Texas in 2014-15. Given the application of sampling weights in data analysis, the study sample (n=3,907) is representative of 461,069 students in 1,969 schools in these areas. Among these, 48.9% are girls; 54.5% are Hispanic, 21.4% non-Hispanic White, and 17.6% non-Hispanic Black. In 2014, the average age of each cohort was 11, 13, and 14 years old.
Data Collection
An almost 500 item web-based tobacco survey is offered to study participants every 6 months, from 2014-2021 (Waves 1-14), for 7 years of follow-up. Students and their parents or guardians provided consent to participant in the TATAMS research study. Most study participants have completed follow-up surveys with retention rates ranging from 64-85% across waves.
The TATAMS survey includes robust measures of ENDS use and other tobacco use behaviors; nicotine dependence; alcohol and marijuana use behaviors; and a broad spectrum of potential risk factors, including intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental influences (e.g., tobacco marketing), as well as product characteristics (e.g., flavors, brand, ENDS device type).
TATAMS has been and continues to be highly productive in disseminating findings on many topics related to ENDS and other tobacco use in peer-reviewed journals and through scientific presentations.
Vaping with Flavors
12/17/2020 - Healthy Children, Healthy State. A one-pager on vaping with flavors from the Texas Child Health Status Report Project.
Vaping Advertisements and Teens
12/15/2020 - Healthy Children, Healthy State. A one-pager on vaping advertisements and teens in Texas from the Texas Child Health Status Report Project.
Teen Vaping in Texas
9/16/2020 - Healthy Children, Healthy State. A one-pager on teen vaping in Texas from the Texas Child Health Status Report Project.
Multi-directional pathways of tobacco and marijuana use, including comorbid use, among a population-based cohort of adolescents in Texas: A six-wave cross-lagged model
(Rogers, S. M., Harrell, M. B., Chen, B., Springer, A., Loukas, A., & Perry, C. L. (2021). Addictive Behaviors, 115, 106771.)
A simulation of the potential impact of restricting tobacco retail outlets around middle and high schools on tobacco advertisements
Obinwa, U., Pasch, K. E., Jetelina, K. K., Ranjit, N., Perez, A., Perry, C., & Harrell, M. (2022). Tobacco control, 31(1), 81–87.
Predictors of JUUL, other electronic nicotine delivery systems, and combustible tobacco initiation among Texas youth
Case KR, Obinwa UC, Clendennen, SL, Perry CL, Harrell MB. Predictors of JUUL, other electronic nicotine delivery systems, and combustible tobacco initiation among Texas youth. Preventive Medicine. 2020 Sep; 138: 106097. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106097. Epub 2020 Apr 23. PMID: 32335030.
ENDS Device Type and Initiation of Combustible Tobacco Products among Adolescents. Nicotine & Tobacco Research
Sumbe A, Clendennen SL, Opara SC, Jackson CD, Chen B, Wilkinson AV, Harrell MB. ENDS Device Type and Initiation of Combustible Tobacco Products among Adolescents. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 2020 Jun 29: ntaa115.doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa115. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32598453.
Harmonizing cigar survey data across TCORS, CTP, and PATH studies: The cigar collaborative research (CCR) group
Fishbein, H., Bauer, D., Yu, Q., Mermelstein, R., Jones, D., et al. (2021). Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 23(1), 212–218.
Understanding susceptibility to e-cigarettes: A comprehensive model of risk factors that influence the transition from non-susceptible to susceptible among e-cigarette naïve adolescents
Carey, F. R., Rogers, S. M., Cohn, E. A., Harrell, M. B., Wilkinson, A. V., et al. (2019). Addictive behaviors, 91, 68–74.
Adolescent Tobacco Uptake and Other Substance Use: A Latent Class Analysis
Delk, J., Carey, F. R., Case, K. R., Creamer, M. R., Wilkinson, A. V., et al. (2019). American journal of health behavior, 43(1), 3–14.
Youth or young adults: Which group is at highest risk for tobacco use onset?
Perry, C. L., Pérez, A., Bluestein, M., Garza, N., Obinwa, U., et al. (2018). The Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 63(4), 413–420.
The transition from non-susceptible to susceptible to e-cigarette use among e-cigarette-naive adolescents: a comprehensive model of multiple risk factors' influence.
Carey, F. R., Rogers, S. M., Cohn, E. A., Harrell, M. B., Wilkinson, A. V., et al. (2019). Addictive behaviors, 91, 68–74.
E-cigarette-specific symptoms of nicotine dependence among Texas adolescents.
Case, K. R., Mantey, D. S., Creamer, M. R., Harrell, M. B., Kelder, S. H., et al. (2018). Addictive behaviors, 84, 57–61.
Measurement and predictive value of susceptibility to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah among Texas adolescents
Carey, F. R., Wilkinson, A. V., Harrell, M. B., Cohn, E. A., & Perry, C. L. (2018). Addictive behaviors reports, 8, 95–101.
School policy, administrator perceptions, and student e-cigarette use
Nicksic, N. E., Harrell, M. B., Pérez, A., Pasch, K. E., & Perry, C. L. (2018). Health behavior and policy review, 5(4), 72–82.
Real Time assessment of young adults' attitudes towards tobacco messages
Hébert, E. T., Vandewater, E. A., Businelle, M. S., Harrell, M. B., Kelder, S. H., et al. (2018). Tobacco regulatory science, 4(1), 644–655.
Type of E-Cigarette Device Used Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Findings From a Pooled Analysis of Eight Studies of 2166 Vapers
Barrington-Trimis, J. L., Gibson, L. A., Halpern-Felsher, B., Harrell, M. B., Kong, G., et al. (2018). Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 20(2), 271–274.
Weight status and cigarette and electronic cigarette use in adolescents
Delk, J., Creamer, M. R., Perry, C. L., & Harrell, M. B. (2018). American journal of preventive medicine, 54(1), e31–e35.
Positive outcome expectations and tobacco product use behaviors in youth
Creamer, M. R., Delk, J., Case, K., Perry, C. L., & Harrell, M. B. (2018). Substance use & misuse, 53(8), 1399–1402.
Recall of point-of-sale marketing predicts cigar and e-cigarette use among Texas youth
Pasch, K. E., Nicksic, N. E., Opara, S. C., Jackson, C., Harrell, M. B., et al. (2018). Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 20(8), 962–969.
Geospatial associations between retail tobacco outlets and current use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes among youth in Texas
Pérez, A., Chien, L. C., Harrell, M. B., Pasch, K. E., Obinwa, U. C. et al. (2017). Journal of biometrics & biostatistics, 8(5), 375.
The relationships between sensation seeking and a spectrum of e-cigarette use behaviors in Texas adolescents: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses specific to Texas adolescents
Case, K. R., Harrell, M. B., Pérez, A., Loukas, A., Wilkinson, A. V., et al. (2017). Addictive behaviors, 73, 151–157.
Exposure and engagement with tobacco- and e-cigarette-related social media
(Hébert ET, Case KR, Kelder SH, Delk J, Perry CL, Harrell MB; J Adolesc Health. 2017) Hébert, E. T., Case, K. R., Kelder, S. H., Delk, J., Perry, C. L., et al. (2017). The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 61(3), 371–377.
Implementation of a Computerized Tablet-Survey in an Adolescent Large-Scale, School-Based Study
Delk, J., Harrell, M. B., Fakhouri, T., Muir, K. A., & Perry, C. L. (2017). The Journal of school health, 87(7), 506–512.
The association between sensation seeking and e-cigarette use in Texas young adults: A cross-sectional study
Case, K. R., Loukas, A., PhD, Harrell, M. B., Wilkinson, A. V., Springer, A. E., et al. (2017). Journal of American college health : J of ACH, 65(4), 277–285.
Feasibility and reliability of a mobile tool to evaluate exposure to tobacco product marketing and messages using ecological momentary assessment
Hébert, E. T., Vandewater, E. A., Businelle, M. S., Harrell, M. B., Kelder, S. H., et al. (2017). Addictive behaviors, 73, 105–110.
Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System’s design
Pérez, A., Harrell, M. B., Malkani, R. I., Jackson, C. D., Delk, J., et al. (2017). Tobacco regulatory science, 3(2), 151–167.
Subjective experiences at first use of cigarette, e-cigarettes, hookah, and cigar products among Texas adolescents
Mantey, D. S., Harrell, M. B., Case, K., Crook, B., Kelder, S. H., et al. (2017). Drug and alcohol dependence, 173, 10–16.
Flavored Tobacco Product Use among Youth and Young Adults: What if Flavors Didn’t Exist?
Harrell, M. B., Loukas, A., Jackson, C. D., Marti, C. N., & Perry, C. L. (2017). Tobacco regulatory science, 3(2), 168–173.
Recall of e-cigarette advertisements and adolescent e-cigarette use
Nicksic, N. E., Harrell, M. B., Pérez, A., Pasch, K. E., & Perry, C. L. (2017). Tobacco regulatory science, 3(2), 210–221.
The cigarette and smokeless tobacco markets in Texas relative to the United States
Miller Lo, E. J., Giovenco, D. P., Wackowski, O. A., Harrell, M. B., Perry, C. L., et al. (2017). Tobacco regulatory science, 3(2), 183–191.
In Their Own Words: Young Adults' Menthol Cigarette Initiation, Perceptions, Experiences and Regulation Perspectives
Wackowski, O. A., Evans, K. R., Harrell, M. B., Loukas, A., Lewis, M. J., et al. (2018). Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 20(9), 1076–1084.
Flavored e-cigarette use: Characterizing youth, young adult, and adult users
Harrell, M. B., Weaver, S. R., Loukas, A., Creamer, M., Marti, C. N, et al. (2016). Preventive medicine reports, 5, 33–40.
Using Cognitive Interviewing to Better Assess Young Adult E-cigarette Use
(Hinds JT, Loukas A, Chow S, Pasch KE, Harrell MB, Perry CL, Delnevo C, Wackowski OA; Nicotine & Tobacco Research; 2016) Hinds, J. T., 3rd, Loukas, A., Chow, S., Pasch, K. E., Harrell, M. B., et al. (2016). Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 18(10), 1998–2005.
Social Norms, Perceptions and Dual/Poly Tobacco Use among Texas Youth
Cooper, M., Creamer, M. R., Ly, C., Crook, B., Harrell, M. B., et al. (2016). American journal of health behavior, 40(6), 761–770.
Comparing young adults to older adults in e-cigarette perceptions and motivations for use: implications for health communication
Cooper, M., Harrell, M. B., & Perry, C. L. (2016). Health education research, 31(4), 429–438.
Flavorings and Perceived Harm and Addictiveness of E-cigarettes among Youth
Cooper, M., Harrell, M. B., Pérez, A., Delk, J., & Perry, C. L. (2016). Tobacco regulatory science, 2(3), 278–289.
College Students' Perceptions of Risk and Addictiveness of E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes
(Cooper M, Loukas A, Harrell MB, Perry CL; J Am Coll Health; 2016)
College students' polytobacco use, cigarette cessation, and dependence
(Loukas A, Chow S, Pasch KE, Li X, Hinds JT, Marti CN, Harrell MB, Creamer MR, Perry CL; Am J Health Behav.; 2016)
A qualitative approach to understanding real-world electronic cigarette use: Implications for measurement and regulation
(Cooper M, Harrell MB, Perry CL; Prev Chronic Dis.; 2016)
Trends in multiple tobacco product use, among high school students
(Creamer MR, Perry CL, Harrell MB, Diamond PM; Tob Regul Sci.; 2015)
