Focus Group Study of Adolescent and Young Adult Perceptions Related to Cigarette Smoking

Appendix 1
Respondent Screener:
Focus Group Study of Adolescent and Young Adult Perceptions Related to Cigarette Smoking
Recruiting Goals
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Eight groups and 12 individual interviews (IDIs) conducted in the following cities: Baltimore,
New York City, Portland ME, and Indianapolis, IN
The groups will be segmented by age and menthol preference with a mix of races and
ethnicities.
All groups will be separated by gender.
Each group should be comprised of participants who have similar socioeconomic and
educational backgrounds.
Age profile for each group should be as follows:
Age range
15-17

18-21

22-25

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Demographics
Cig. preference-menthol-male
Cig. preference-menthol-female
Cig preference-non-menthol-male
Cig preference-non-menthol-female
Menthol smokers-male
Menthol smokers-female
Non-menthol smokers-male
Non-menthol smokers-female
Menthol smokers-male
Menthol smokers-female
Non-menthol smokers-male
Non-menthol smokers-female

IDI
3
3
3
3
Groups 6-7
1
1
1
1
Groups 8-9
1
1
1
1

All participants must be able to read, understand, and speak English.
Scientists, tobacco industry workers, and market researchers will be excluded.
All participants who normally wear corrective lenses, contacts, or glasses to read must have
them with them during the focus group.
Participants cannot have participated in a focus group or a similar study in the past 6 months.
Youth will receive $30 and their parents will receive $25; young adult participants will
receive $50.
Each focus group will last approximately 90 minutes.
Upon consent, groups will be audio- and video-taped.
Obtain consent/assent.
The identity of the participants will remain confidential.
Groups at the Greenbelt site will be observed by staff from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). FDA will travel to other sites if funding permits.
Participants do not have to answer any questions that they do not want to, but are encouraged
to participate

Focus Groups Screener

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Recruitment Script for Adults

Hello Mr. /Ms. __________________________________, my name is __________________ and I
would like to talk to you about a focus group study we plan to conduct for the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. We are recruiting people for an upcoming focus group in which
participants will be asked to share their thoughts and feelings about information regarding tobacco
products. Would you mind answering a few questions to see if you are able to participate in the
study?

Screening Questions
Q1.

Before I start, are you at least 18 years old?
[YES] Continue
[NO]
If no: Can I speak with someone at least 18 years old?
If no, when would be a good time to call back and speak with someone at
least 18 years old? SET UP CALL BACK TIME
Or, is there no one over 18 in the household? TERMINATE IF NO ONE
OVER 18

Q2. Have you participated in a focus group within the past 6 months?
[YES] TERMINATE
[NO] Continue
Q3. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
[YES] Continue
[NO] Terminate
Q4. Do you smoke everyday or occasionally? ____ everyday ____ occasionally (3 or more times
per week) _____seldom (less than 3 times a week)
Q5. How long have you been smoking?
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Less than 1 years
2-5 years
More than 5 years

Q6. Do you remember your first cigarette?
[YES] Continue
[NO] Continue

Focus Groups Screener

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Q7. Which of the following best describes your cigarette preference?
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I prefer smoking menthol cigarettes [assign to menthol group]
I prefer to smoke non-menthol cigarettes [assign to non-menthol group]
I do not have a preference [TERMINATE]

Q8. Do you have family members who smoke?
[YES] Continue
[NO] Continue
Q9. Do you have friends who smoke?
[YES] Continue
[NO] Continue
Demographic Questions
Q10. Are you male or female?
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Male
Female

Q11. How old are you? ____________
If the person refuses to report age, then say “I understand you don't want to tell me your age.
Which of the following category of age are you in?”
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18-21
22-25

Q12. What is the highest level of education you have completed?
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Less than high school
High school (including GED)
Some college
College
Post graduate

Q13. What is your profession? ________________________________________
[TERMINATE if market researcher, scientist, or employed by the tobacco industry. Ask
directly if unsure based on response above.]
Q14. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
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Yes
No

Focus Groups Screener

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Q15. What is your race? I am going to read several categories of race. You may choose one or
more categories as they apply. Are you…
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White
Black or African American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
American Indian or Alaska Native
Other

Q16. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you understanding and speaking English? 1 is very
uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable. ______________
[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]
Q17. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you participating in a group discussion with
approximately 8-10 other adults? 1 is very uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very
comfortable. _______________
[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]
From what you told me it looks like you are eligible to participate in the study therefore we invite
you to meet with a group to discuss issues related to tobacco products with about 10 other people
who use tobacco products. The discussion will last no more than two hours, will be video- and
audio-taped, and observed by the focus group staff. Your participation and everything you say
during the discussion will remain confidential. You will receive $50 for participating. Additionally,
we will serve you snacks and beverages before the group discussion starts. Are you interested in
participating in this focus group?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

I’m glad that you will be able to join us! The focus group will take place on [Day], [Date], at [6:00
or 8:00 p.m.] at [site location]. If you normally wear corrective lenses, contacts, or glasses to read
please remember to have them with you during the focus group.
Will you be available to participate at this time?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

I would like to send you a confirmation letter and directions to the facility. In order to do so, could
you please tell me your mailing address (or fax number, e-mail address) and a phone number where
you can be reached:
Name:______________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________
City:_______________________ State:_________ Zip:______________
Focus Groups Screener

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Phone:_______________________
Email:_______________________
Date of focus group:__________________ Time:________________
We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for
some reason you are unable to attend. Please call [recruiter] at [telephone number] if this should
happen. We look forward to seeing you on [date] at [time].

Focus Groups Screener

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Recruitment Script for Adolescents

Parent Introduction:
Hello Mr. /Ms. __________________________________, my name is __________________ and I
would like to talk to you about a study we plan to conduct for the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services. We are recruiting for an upcoming interview in which participants will be asked to
share their thoughts and feelings about information regarding cigarette smoking. We believe it is
particularly important to talk with teens about this issue. Can we speak to _______________ [teen’s
name] to see if they are able to participate in the study? If he/she is able to participate, we will need
you to sign a consent form and have him/her bring it to the focus group.

Adolescent Introduction:
Hello __________________________________, my name is __________________. I’m with XXX
and we’re interested in talking to teens about cigarette smoking. We are planning to conduct
interviews with teens for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Everything you share
in the interview will be confidential—which means it will not be shared with anyone outside of the
study personnel, including your parents. Would you mind answering a few questions to see if you
are able to participate in the study?

Screening Questions
Q1. Before I start, are you between the ages of 15 and 17?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Q2. Have you participated in a focus group or interview within the past 6 months?
[YES]
[NO]

TERMINATE
Continue

Q3. Do you currently smoke cigarettes?
[YES]
[NO] TERMINATE
Q4. How many times a week do you smoke?
 3 or more times a week
 Less 3 times/week

Focus Groups Screener

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Q5. Which of the following best describes your cigarette preference?
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I prefer smoking menthol cigarettes [assign to menthol group]
I prefer to smoke non-menthol cigarettes [assign to non-menthol group]
I do not have a preference [TERMINATE]

Q6. How long have you been using tobacco products?
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Less than 1 year
1-2 years
3 or more years

Q7. Do you remember your first cigarette?
[YES] Continue
[NO] Continue
Demographic Questions
Q8. Are you male or female?
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Male
Female

Q9. How old are you? ___________________

Q10. What grade are you in?
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7th grade
8th grade
9th grade
10th grade
11th grade
12th grade
No longer attending school
Other _____________________

Q11. Are you of Hispanic or Latino origin?
� Yes
� No
Q12. What is your race? I am going to read several categories of race. You may choose one or
more categories as they apply. Are you…
� White
� Black or African American
� Asian
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� Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
� American Indian or Alaska Native
� Other
Q13. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you understanding and speaking English? 1 is very
uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable. ______________
[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]
Q14. On a scale of 1-5, how comfortable are you participating in an interview with an adult? 1 is
very uncomfortable, 3 is somewhat comfortable, and 5 is very comfortable. _______________
[TERMINATE if 3 or lower]
From what you told me it looks like you are eligible to participate in the study. I would like to invite
you to be one of 12 teens who will be interviewed. The discussion will last no more than one hour,
will be video- and audio-taped, and observed by the study group. As I said earlier, your participation
and everything you say during the discussion will remain confidential. You will receive $30 for
participating. Additionally, we will serve you snacks and beverages before the interview starts. Are
you interested in participating in this study?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Because you are under age 18, we will need a parent or guardian’s permission for you to be in the
focus group. Will you be able to have a parent or a guardian sign a form giving you permission to
attend?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

You will need to bring the consent form I will send you with your parent or guardian’s signature
when you come to the focus group. If you don’t have this consent form, you won’t be able to
participate.
I’m glad that you will be able to join us! The focus group will take place on [Day], [Date], at [5:00
6:00, 7:00 or 8:00 p.m.] at [site location]. If you normally wear corrective lenses, contacts, or
glasses to read please remember to have them with you during the focus group.
Will you be available to participate at this time?
[YES]
[NO]

Continue
TERMINATE

Because you are under 18, you will need to get written permission from a parent or guardian in order to
participate in the interview. I would also like to send you a confirmation letter and directions to the
facility. In order to do so, could you please tell me your mailing address (or fax number, e-mail address)
and a phone number where you can be reached:
Focus Groups Screener

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Name:______________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________
City:_______________________ State:_________ Zip:______________
Phone:_______________________
Email:_______________________
Date of focus group:__________________ Time:________________
We are only inviting a few people, so it is very important that you notify us as soon as possible if for
some reason you are unable to attend. Please call [recruiter] at [telephone number] if this should
happen. We look forward to seeing you on [date] at [time]. If you use reading glasses, please bring
them with you to the focus group.

Focus Groups Screener

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