Recruitment and Selection Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Recruitment and Selection - Research Paper Example Service delivery is improved with the inclusion of a wider demographic because the understanding and self confidence of the participants is improved through the directive that harbors success. The departments are charged with the decision-making process within the intercollegiate departments who focus on athletics and ensure the mission and objectives are delivered to the desired satisfaction. A stable environment would offer qualified professionals within the departments to ensure the activities are completed to satisfaction and drive increased participation. The departments are expected to meet the desired obligation to the students held in satisfactory facility presentation that increase the output in the individuals. However, the argument is placed on the recruitment process and the need to justify the selection of the members within these departments. Therefore, the argument is placed on the process and the provision offered that a diversified department would ensure exemplary p erformance and result generation within the departments. Diversity has been the core process involved in developing equality and improving the participation of the members. With the right procedure involved and the inclusion of stable policies, the aspect is promoted through the selection process that accords responsibility to variable members. However, the development of individuals and the departments has been challenged by measures that have eliminated the platform to attain equality. The diversity under consideration has been in gender and racial aspect that emerge as leading measures demeaning participation in varied groups. There should be the realization of the diverse existence of variable ethnicity and gender groups within the society. With the identity of the potential of each of the participants regardless of their physical appearance, the

Management in the News paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Management in the News - Research Paper Example However, from the period of 2007 Grady Memorial Hospital the charitable and training institution in Atlanta started suffering from a huge financial crisis. The huge financial crisis amounting to millions of dollars affected the operations of the hospital. However, the local and the national government have not taken any significant steps to help the hospital revive from the crisis. (Dewan & Sack, 2008) The Grady Memorial Hospital based in Atlanta share a nostalgic relationship with many Americans who have risen to higher positions in the country. In fact, the Grady Memorial Hospital had been the first home in the world to many people living in the region of Atlanta. The hospital observed to be a charitable organization caring for a host of immigrants, prisoners and low income groups is suffering from a financial crisis from the 2007 period. Management operations in the hospital are being carried on through a system of small financial packages obtained from various sources. The case of Grady earns similarity to other health organizations based in different areas of the United States like Memphis, Chicago and Miami. However, the magnitude of financial crisis has led Grady to surpass the distressful situation of around 1,300 hospitals operating in United States. The financial crisis loomed over Grady for the hospital operated on a traditional approach which failed to generate suffici ent funds to help the organization carry out its operations in an extensive manner. Grady Memorial Hospital renders maximum focus in the treatment of the patients belonging to the uninsured and immigrant groups. Moreover, the amounts received from the end of the insured patients also fail to suffice in meeting the operational costs. Further, the Grady Memorial Hospital faces huge competition from other private players operating in the health care arena of the country. The private hospitals and other non-profit health organizations earned high popularity in successfully rendering

Jurisdictions and Functions of the FBI

Jurisdictions and Functions of the FBI The criminal justice system consists of several government agencies whose work is to track, capture, and punish criminals. These agencies each have their roles, responsibilities, and jurisdictions which they operate. It is the reason why there are specific differentiations such as the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the New York Police Department, O.C Superior Court, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and so on. The current report focuses on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and asserts some of its core characteristics and roles in the criminal justice system field. The article divides into the agency description, jurisdiction’s authority and the scope of the responsibilities, the specific duties that are assigned to them, and the requirements of eligibility for anyone wishing to join the agency. AGENCY DESCRIPTION The FBI protects and defends the United States against threats from any terrorist and foreign intelligence, uphold and enforce criminal laws, and provide leadership and criminal justice services to the federal, state, municipal, and international agencies, and partners. Public safety is of core importance to the FBI. The agency’s headquarters are in Washington, DC. The location is strategic as it provides a centralized operational policy, which makes it easy to provide administrative support to FBI investigations. The core investigative and intelligence work is accomplished by 56 field officers situated in major U.S. cities and over 370 resident agencies, dubbed â€Å"RAs,† from all over the country. The RAs are satellite offices which are meant to give a feel that the FBI is concerned over the local community welfare. There are 64 Legal Attachà © (Legat) offices, and 14 sub-offices in 67 countries across the globe (FBI n.p.). The core values of the FBI include rigorou s obedience to the Constitution, respect for the U.S. citizens’ dignity, fairness, compassion, personal and professional dignity, non-compromise of individual and institutional integrity, and accountability (FBI Jobs 5). The current FBI Director is Christopher Wray, who has served as number eight in the position since August 2017 to present. Other senior staff include David Bowdich as the Deputy Directory, the Associate Deputy Director Paul Abbate, and Zachary Harmon who is the Chief of Staff (FBI Leadership & Structure n.p.). The office of the Director/Deputy Director/ Associate Deputy Directors has the following further divisions; finance and facilities, information management, inspection, the office of the Chief Information Officer, Congressional Affairs, EEO Affairs, General Counsel, Integrity and Compliance, Ombudsman, Professional Responsibility, Public Affairs, and Resource Planning. FBI JURISDICTION AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES The authority held by the FBI allows the agency to make arrests for federal crimes committed. However, its jurisdiction and that of federal officers may go beyond these functions in some cases.   For example, an FBI agent is allowed to make an arrest whenever they come across a crime being committed. Other instances include arresting individuals believed to have committed a crime, or in the process of doing so as long as there is irrefutable evidence that proves the officers claim (Leopulse n.p.). The FBI typically work in conjunction with the local policies. Its investigative authority is nonetheless, the broadest of all federal law enforcement agencies. Its strategic approach stresses long-term and complex investigations, which emphasize the close working relationships with other agencies from federal, state such as Interpol, foreign police and security officers in Washington, local, international law enforcement and intelligence agencies (Office of the United States Attorneys n.p.). The liaison and information sharing practices conducted between the FBI and any international law enforcement agencies is mediated by executive orders, laws, treaties, Attorney General Guidelines, FBI governing policies, and interagency agreements (FBI International Operations n.p.). These guidelines allow for greater uniformity and control for both national and international objectives. FBI FUNCTIONS According to the Office of the United States Attorneys, the FBI agency is divided into seven programs that help it achieve its objectives. They include applicant matter, civil rights, counterterrorism, foreign counterintelligence, organized crimes/drugs, violent crimes and major offenders, and financial crime (n.p.). These are the primary responsibilities of the FBI as dictated by the law. However, due to the differences in size, potential impacts or sensitivity of the individual cases, the scope of investigation may vary with extensive attention paid to crimes that demand so. However, the scope of responsibility for the FBI is as follows according to FDIAgentEDU.org (n.p,) & Leopulse (n.p.): Terrorism. The Federal Bureau of Investigation identifies, investigates, disrupts, and arrests those with terrorist intentions (both domestic and international). This function is considered to be the most important and requires the utilization of diverse and specialized skill sets. The terrorist group also detains and interrogates any known terrorist groups or individuals on the U.S. soil Organized Crime. The function covers many kinds of well-structured, persistent, criminal enterprises such as the Italian Mafia, illegal gambling, and sports bribery. The agency is now capable of observing and recording prominent organized crime activities in foreign countries to track associates. Aside from the Mafia, the FBI covers organized crime in the Balkans, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Eurasia, and South America.Civil Rights. The FBI also protects and upholds all civil rights of the U.S. citizens. It prevents the persecution of civil rights through such activities such as pursuing hate crimes cases, human trafficking, and so on. Alternatively, it protects the rights to access public institutions such as libraries, schools, government offices, and hospitals.Public Corruption. The FBI also concerns itself with the protection of the public against public corruption that arises through scenarios such as election fraud, government bribery, and any other instances that would undermine the democracy that the U.S. champions. It operates as the watchdog to government operations, using technology to oversee all transactions and behaviors of public officials. White-Collar Crime. The FBI is at the forefront of preventing or fighting against white-collar crimes such as mortgage fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud, antitrust, and intellectual property theft. Also related to such cases would include internet schemes, identity theft, or large-scale investing scams.Violent Crimes and Major Thefts. Gang members and online predators are part of the responsibility scope of the FBI. Property theft rings and bank robbers are also considered part of the violent crimes and significant theft category and jurisdiction of the FBI. They work with local police and provide the relevant skills to control dangerous crimes. The agency also maintains a database of stolen artwork and those responsible for the theft.Cyber Crime. The FBI also searches for people that carry out computer attacks and intrusion. Offering protection for private information, internet fraud, and identity theft are part of the FBI’s scope of responsibilities. They carry these activities both offensively and defensively. REQUIREMENTS   The FBI employs several people to fill in positions as field agents or professional staff, each of which has different requirements for entry-level positions. However, to apply for any of the posts, one must fulfill the following conditions; Disqualifiers Automatic deselection of applied candidates will take place for individuals who are non-U.S. citizens, have a history of conviction for a felony, violated the terms of the FBI Employment Drug Policy, defaulted student loans, or the failure to pass an FBI-administered drug test. Also, if one fails to register with the Selective Service System, they stand to fact automatic disqualification. Although, this requirement only applies to the male candidates. Further, any activity or attempt to or is designed to overthrow the U.S government by force is not treated kindly. Other conditions include the failure to pay child support or failing to file federal, state, or local income tax returns (FBI Jobs 12). Employment Drug Policy The FBI prides itself on being a drug-free society and workplace and does not hire applicants who currently use illegal drugs, misuse or abuse drugs or any other substances. Another instance of disqualification occurs when the candidate is believed (with proof) to have misrepresented their drug history relative to their application. Candidates may not have used marijuana for three years preceding their application, and medical forms cannot be used as mitigating factors whatsoever. The use of illegal drugs requires the candidates to be clean for more than ten years before their FBI application. In addition to this, they should not have been involved in the manufacture, distribution, transportation, or sold illegal drugs without a permit. The same case applies for prescription drugs such as anabolic steroids (FBI Jobs 13). Background Investigation Candidates must receive the FBI Top Secret Security Clearance after completion of the FBI Background Investigation. The Intensive Background Investigation follows, and once proceeds forward with employment after passing. Preliminary requirements include the use of the polygraph examination, illegal drug use test, credit and records checks, and extensive interviews with people close to the candidate such as former and current colleagues, neighbors, professors, and friends (FBI Jobs 14). Other Qualifications Candidates must possess at least a degree before applying for an FBI entry job position. If the applicant provides a degree not obtained from an accredited university or college in the United States, then it must be of equivalent certification at the time of the application. Advanced degrees may take precedence over a foreign bachelor’s degree. The agency tests both physical and mental skills. All FBI personnel must exhibit leadership, collaboration, organization, planning, problem solving and judgment, flexibility or adaptability, initiative, and communication. These must be evidenced in the application, providing evidence as to how each of these competencies are demonstrated. In addition to these, the candidate must score high on intelligence, self-discipline, and mental stability. Another condition is that one must have been successfully employed in a full-time professional work setting with three years’ experience and with a 6-month valid driver’s license. The age should not exceed 36 before the full appointment (FBI Jobs 18). Works Cited FBI Jobs. â€Å"Employment Eligibility.† Department of Justice, https://www.fbijobs.gov/working-at-fbi/eligibility FBI Jobs. â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Selection Process Candidate Information Packet.† Department of Justice, 2017, www.fbijobs.gov/sites/default/files/Special_Agent_Candidate_Information_Packet.pdf. FBI. â€Å"Federal Bureau of Investigations Summary.† Department of Justice, 2013, www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/jmd/legacy/2013/10/08/fy13-fbi-bud-summary.pdf. FDIAgentEDU.org. â€Å"Examples of the FBIs Jurisdiction.† How to Become an FBI Agent? 2014 https://www.fbiagentedu.org/2014/06/examples-of-the-fbis-jurisdiction/ Federal Bureau of Investigations. â€Å"International Operations.† FBI, FBI, 14 June 2016, www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/international-operations. Federal Bureau of Investigations. â€Å"Leadership & Structure.† FBI, FBI, 14 July 2016, www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure. Leopulse. â€Å"FBI Jurisdiction & Investigative Priorities.† Drug Enforcement Administrations Jurisdiction & Investigative Priorities LEO Pulse, 2018, www.leopulse.com/research/federal/fbi/jurisdiction-investigations. Office of the United States Attorneys. â€Å"9. A FBI Organizational Structure and Investigative Jurisdiction.† The United States Department of Justice, 18 Dec. 2015, https://www.justice.gov/usam/organization-and-functions-manual-9-fbi-organizational-structure-and-investigative-jurisdiction

Essay on Gregor as Catalyst for Metamorphosis -- Metamorphosis essays

Gregor as Catalyst for Metamorphosis of the Family    In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Gregor is not the only presence that undergoes a complete transformation. Sometimes a change in one area of life will give way to changes in other areas, but the ensuing changes would not have come about without the first change that set things in motion. This is the case with Gregor and his family. Gregor’s family was in dire need of change, and Gregor’s condition became a powerful catalyst for that change. Gregor’s metamorphosis facilitates the change of his entire family, proving that oftentimes an outside source is needed to pull people out of a rut and get them on their feet again. Before Gregor turned into a giant bug, his entire family relied heavily on him in more ways than one. After his father’s business failed, Gregor became the main breadwinner of the household. He got a steady job and the entire family was happy, because a steady job accompanies steady income and a steady supply of food, as well. Over time, "they had simply got used to it, both the family and Gregor; the money was gratefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling" (95). Each member of the family becomes accustomed to an easy life in which needs and wants are provided for. This routine causes the individuals in the family to stagnate and live unproductively. The family begins to follow a path of exis... ...ometimes it is only through the changes of another, in this case Gregor, that people themselves begin to transform. The sacrifice of Gregor allows his family to leave its protective cove and journey out into the world, discovering what life has to offer. Works Cited Eggenschwiler, David. "'The Metamorphosis', Freud, and the Chains of Odysseus". Franz Kafka: Modern Critical Views. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 199-219. Emrich, Wilhelm. Franz Kafka: A Critical Study of His Writings. New York: Ungar, 1968. Kafka, Franz. Metamorphosis. Trans. A.L. Lloyd. New York: Vanguard Press, Inc., 1946. Pawel, Ernst. The Nightmare of Reason. New York: Vintage Books, 1984. Essay on Gregor as Catalyst for Metamorphosis -- Metamorphosis essays Gregor as Catalyst for Metamorphosis of the Family    In Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Gregor is not the only presence that undergoes a complete transformation. Sometimes a change in one area of life will give way to changes in other areas, but the ensuing changes would not have come about without the first change that set things in motion. This is the case with Gregor and his family. Gregor’s family was in dire need of change, and Gregor’s condition became a powerful catalyst for that change. Gregor’s metamorphosis facilitates the change of his entire family, proving that oftentimes an outside source is needed to pull people out of a rut and get them on their feet again. Before Gregor turned into a giant bug, his entire family relied heavily on him in more ways than one. After his father’s business failed, Gregor became the main breadwinner of the household. He got a steady job and the entire family was happy, because a steady job accompanies steady income and a steady supply of food, as well. Over time, "they had simply got used to it, both the family and Gregor; the money was gratefully accepted and gladly given, but there was no special uprush of warm feeling" (95). Each member of the family becomes accustomed to an easy life in which needs and wants are provided for. This routine causes the individuals in the family to stagnate and live unproductively. The family begins to follow a path of exis... ...ometimes it is only through the changes of another, in this case Gregor, that people themselves begin to transform. The sacrifice of Gregor allows his family to leave its protective cove and journey out into the world, discovering what life has to offer. Works Cited Eggenschwiler, David. "'The Metamorphosis', Freud, and the Chains of Odysseus". Franz Kafka: Modern Critical Views. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. 199-219. Emrich, Wilhelm. Franz Kafka: A Critical Study of His Writings. New York: Ungar, 1968. Kafka, Franz. Metamorphosis. Trans. A.L. Lloyd. New York: Vanguard Press, Inc., 1946. Pawel, Ernst. The Nightmare of Reason. New York: Vintage Books, 1984.

African National Identities Essay

In Jonathan Zimmerman’s essay â€Å"African National Identities Can’t Be Built on Soccer Fever† he describes how soccer brings the people of Africa together. He talks about the unity of Africans and how much soccer is a part of their lives. He also describes the underlying reason of why soccer is so heavily pushed. The perspective in the essay â€Å"Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye† Tim Bowling discusses his passion for hockey and his hate for the violence. Both show the passion countrymen have for their sports as well as the ugly side of the sport as well. In â€Å"Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey, Goodbye†, Bowling describes how hockey was one of his loves and how over time that has changed. He describes how there is a good and bad side to hockey. The positives being the skill the players display on the ice and the enthusiasm fans show during the playoffs. The negatives being the violence in the game and the business side of the NHL. He says, â€Å"[E]ven if expansion and relentless marketing (just how many jerseys can one team have?) have conspired to water down the talents and glaciate the pace of play† (Bowling, 213). Bowling explains how the sport has become so rough that everything is overlooked and tolerated. He says, â€Å"†¦and in which a star player like Todd Bertuzzi can jump an opponent from behind, breaking his neck and not be universally vilified for his actions, but rather become the particular hero of Vancouver Canucks hockey fans† (Bowling,213). In comparison Zimmerman writes about how popular soccer is among Africans and how everyone ‘speaks football’ (Zimmerman, 345). He also writes about the negativity surrounding the sport. He says that one of the reasons soccer is so strongly pushed is so the government can hide its wrongdoings. He says, â€Å"Even worse, some governments use sports to divert attention from their own misdeeds† (Zimmerman, 346). Zimmerman also states that the sport has allowed tyrants to ‘bolster their power’ (Zimmerman, 345), using Idi Amin as an example. Though their writings show similarity in the negativity that surround these sports, their essays differ for the feelings the writers feel now. Bowling refuses to watch hockey, whereas, Zimmerman still has a passion for the sport. For Bowling the sport has been ruined by the violence, the marketing, and the ways it has changed from a sport to business. He says, â€Å" When I was a boy, the boards, ice, and score clock were free of advertising; goals and assists meant more than salaries; and players and teams had distinct character† (Bowling,215). For Bowling, he was still looking for the same sport that he watched growing up, what he sees today, he does not recognize. According to him young boys are being sexually abused by coaches, players are badly hurting others and people like Don Cherry are exploiting others for a good laugh. He sees violence everywhere in the sport now, not the good, old, pure sportsmanship he saw growing up. He also says, â€Å"Why should I follow a sport whose foundation in this country is made of blood and beer and an empty rhetoric around outdated and destructive notions of patriotism and manhood† (Bowling, 215). He loves the sport but cannot support what has become of it. Zimmerman shares the love for soccer as other Africans, he says, â€Å"my heart will break too, if Ghana fails to win the Africa Cup† (Zimmerman, 346). He wishes for the best, for both the country and the sport. He doesn’t want them to build an identity around soccer, because if they one day lose, it will break the whole nation. They will have nothing to fall back on. In both essays the fans show support for their national sports and this is what brings them together. Zimmerman says that Africans hand their future on sports and Bowling says that hockey is nothing but violence and business. They both make valid points in their essays, they show the positives of their sports, and then show the negative sides to their passion as well. Bowling, Tim. † Na Na Na Na , Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye†. Essay Writing for Canadian Students with Readings.7th ed. Editors Chris Bullock, Kay L.Stewart, Laura K. Davis. Toronto: Pearson Canada Inc., 2013.211-216.Print. Zimmerman, Jonathan.’ ‘African National Identities Can’t Be Built on Soccer Fever† Essay Writing for Canadian Students with Readings.7th ed. Editors Chris Bullock, Kay L.Stewart, Laura K. Davis. Toronto: Pearson Canada Inc., 2013.345-346.Print

Exploring the Relationship Between Cigarette Essay

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between state-specific estimates of youth and adult cigarette smoking prevalences, overall, and after adjusting for cigarette prices and strength of smoke-free air laws. METHODS: Crude relationships were determined using state-specific adolescent and adult smoking estimates from three national surveillance systems conducted during 1997, 1999, or 2000. Weighted leastsquares regression analyses were conducted to assess crude and adjusted relationships between state-specific estimates of adolescent and adult smoking. RESULTS: In each crude analysis conducted, adolescent smoking prevalence was significantly and positively related to adult smoking prevalence. These relationships were attenuated, but generally persisted, after controlling for cigarette prices and strength of smoke-free air laws. CONCLUSIONS: Results support the premise that adult smoking influences adolescent smoking behavior. Funders and policy makers need to consider that an effe ctive youth prevention strategy may be to curb smoking among adults. Introduction Cigarettes are the most common form of tobacco used in the United States, among both youths and adults (1, 2). Interest in preventing adolescent uptake of tobacco use increased substantially during the early and mid-1990’s (3), as adolescent smoking initiation and prevalence increased (1, 4-9). This prompted considerable debate in the public health community about the relative merits of a youth or adult-centered tobacco control approach (10-14). A focus on youth has often been viewed by policy-makers as more politically palatable to the communities they serve; however, many researchers have argued that since the problem of tobacco affects people of all ages, effective solutions must do so as well, thereby favoring a more balanced strategy (10-14). An effective approach would target audiences in every age group, encouraging adults to quit without ignoring the reality that virtually all new tobacco users are children or adolescents. A considerable number of studies have noted relationships between parental and adolescent smoking (15-21). Bauman and colleagues noted that a key distinction in studies of parental and adolescent smoking was to distinguish whether the parents were current, former, or never smokers. When they made such distinctions, they found that the relationship between parental smoking status and adolescent smoking was as strong as that for peer smoking (16-17). Chassin and colleagues found that parental smoking cessation may help to lower the risk for adolescent smoking when the other parent was not a current smoker (20). Farkas and colleagues noted that the earlier parents quit, the less likely their children were to become smokers (21). To test the hypothesis that state-specific smoking prevalence for adolescents and adults would be directly related, we initially studied the relationship using data from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (22). We documented a direct relationship, a finding also noted by Males (23). To assess this phenomenon more fully, we conducted similar analyses using data from  additional years and another surveillance system (the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). Furthermore, because we recognized that cigarette prices and the strength of smoke-free air laws could influence both adolescent and adult smoking prevalences, we also studied the relationship after controlling for these important policy variables (2426). We hypothesized that the relationship between adolescent and adult smoking would be attenuated, but not eliminated, after controlling for these potential covariates. Methods Data Youth and adult smoking data for this study were taken from three nationallycoordinated surveillance systems: 1) the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS); 2) the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); and 3) the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). The YRBSS provides state-specific adolescent data on public high school students between the approximate ages of 14 to 18 years. For this study, we used the following measures of adolescent smoking from YRBSS: current smoking prevalence, frequent cigarette use, youth ever smoking, and youth ever-daily smoking. The 1997 and 1999 YRBSS define current smoking prevalence (current cigarette use) as having smoked on at least 1 of the 30 days preceding the survey, and frequent cigarette use as having smoked  on at least 20 of the 30 days preceding the survey. The 1997 and 1999 YRBSS define youth ever smoking (i.e. lifetime cigarette use) as having ever tried cigarette smoking, even one or two puffs (6, 27). The 1999 YRBSS defines youth ever-daily smoking as having ever smoked at least 1 cigarette every day for 30 days (27). Weighted YRBSS data were published for 24 states in 1997, and for 22 states in 1999. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) weighted these statespecific estimates to adjust for nonresponse and varying probabilities of selection. The data are considered to be representative of all public high school students (grades 9-12), in  the respective states. In our analyses, we only included data from states with weighted YRBSS data. State-specific sample sizes ranged from 1,325 to 8,636 participants in 1997, and from 1,248 to 7,125 participants in 1999 (6, 27). Standard errors for these weighted 1997 and 1999 YRBSS data were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and were used to estimate variances for analyses. The BRFSS provides state-specific estimates of major risk behaviors among adults aged 18 years and older. Adult current smoking and adult ever smoking measures were included as independent predictor variables from 1997 and 1999 BRFSS data. In the 1997 and 1999 BRFSS, current smokers were those who had ever smoked at least 100 lifetime cigarettes and who currently smoked every day or some days. Adult ever smoking was defined by the 1997 and 1999 YRBSS as having ever smoked 100 lifetime cigarettes. We used adult BRFSS data from all states for which we also had YRBSS data, which were 24 states in 1997 and 22 states in 1999. State-specific sample sizes ranged from 1,595 to 3,596 participants in 1997, and from 1,633 to 5,011 participants in 1999 (28-29). The NHSDA provides state-specific adolescent and adult data on substance abuse for adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17 years, adults between the ages of 18 to 25 years (referred to below as young adults), and adults greater than or equal to 26 years (referred to below as adults). In the 1999-2000 NHSDA, current smokers were those who smoked all or part of a cigarette on at least one of the 30 days preceding the survey. Representative samples were drawn from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with sample sizes ranging from 900 to 1,030 in 42 states and the District of Columbia, and from 3,600 to 4,630 in 8 states. About one-third of each sample represented each age category: 12 to 17 years; 18 to 25 years; and >= 26 years (30). State-specific estimates for price, as of November 1st of each year, were taken from The Tax Burden on Tobacco (31). The average price of a pack of cigarettes was constructed by using weighted averages for a pack of 20 cigarettes based on the prices of single packs, cartons, and vending machine sales, where the weights are the national proportions of each type of sale. These prices are inclusive of state level  sales taxes applied to cigarettes, but are exclusive of local cigarette taxes. Because the price published is as of November 1st, and because the surveys are conducted throughout the year, we created a weighted average annual cigarette price measure by subtracting state and federal excise taxes from the current year’s price and the previous/following year’s price and weighting the pre-tax prices accordingly. Average federal and state excise taxes for the whole year were calculated and added to the weighted average pre-tax price. Data on state-specific smoke-free air legislation were compiled to construct a smoke-free air (SFA) legislation index, using a multi-step process. In itially, these legislative data were taken from the American Lung Association’s ‘State Legislated Actions on Tobacco Issues’ (SLATI) system, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s ‘State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation’ (STATE) system. We then contracted with the MayaTech Corporation to validate initial coding, and expand upon our initial categorization scheme by incorporating legislative information on additional locations, such as schools, recreational facilities, and cultural facilities. The state-specific SFA index values were constructed from ratings given to each state, based upon the levels of restriction provided for the following 10 locations in 1997, 1999, and 2000: private worksites, health facilities, restaurants, recreational facilities, cultural facilities, retail/grocery stores, shopping centers, public transit, public schools, and private schools. SFA ratings were summed for each of these 10 locations, and additional weighting was given to 6 designated youth-oriented locations (restaurants, recreational facilities, cultural facilities, shopping centers, public schools, private schools), which were multiplied by 2 prior to summation. After the ratings were summed, 20% of this total SFA score was then subtracted for the existence of any state preemption clauses. The calculation of the subtracted preemption percentage was based upon the average estimated percentage of states with SFA preemption in relevant youth-oriented categories, as described in a paper by Chriqui et al (2002) (32). Preemption clauses prevent a local area, within a state, from enacting  smoke-free ordinances that are stronger or more protective than state smoke-free air laws. Statistical Analysis Weighted least-squares regression analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Regression analyses of adult smoking measures, as the independent predictor variables, on adolescent smoking measures, as the dependent outcome variables, were conducted  for BRFSS, YRBSS, and NHSDA data. Analyses with YRBSS data were conducted overall and by gender (male, female). All regression analyses were weighted by the reciprocal of the variance of the dependent variables. Average price of a pack of cigarettes and strength of smoke-free air legislation were included as potential covariates in adjusted weighted least squares regression analyses. Crude and adjusted beta coefficients were calculated and reported, along with standard errors, r-squared values, and statistical probabilities (p-values). Additional weighted least-squares regression analyses were conducted to further adjust for income disparity. These analyses did not produce noticeably different results for youth-adult data; therefore, income disparity was not considered relevant for adjustment. Results Table 1 presents crude and adjusted results from the weighted least-squares regression analyses of youth and adult smoking measures. In each crude analysis conducted, adolescent smoking prevalence was significantly and positively related to adult smoking prevalence. These relationships were attenuated, but generally persisted, after controlling for cigarette prices and strength of smoke-free air laws. Adjusted overall relationships for 1997 YRBSS and BRFSS data, between youth-adult current smoking prevalence and frequent use, were attenuated; but remained significant. This attenuated, but significant, relationship persisted among males for current smoking  prevalence (with borderline significance among females), and among both males and females for frequent use. Crude relationships between youth-adult current smoking prevalence and frequent  use were significant for 1999 YRBSS and BRFSS data, and adjusted relationships remained significant among females for current prevalence an d frequent use. Crude relationships for NHSDA data from all states and the District of Columbia were also highly significant for youth, young adult, and adult smoking in 1999-2000 (See also: Figure 1). Adjusted relationships for 1999-2000 NHSDA data also remained significant for all youth, young adult, and adult smoking data. Table 2 presents results from additional weighted least-squares regression analyses that were conducted to explore a possible relationship between youth and adults with respect to measures of smoking initiation. These analyses, using 1997 YRBSS and BRFSS data, showed a significant adjusted relationship between youth ever-smoking and adults ever-smoking at least 100 cigarettes. Analyses using 1999 YRBSS and BRFSS data showed significant crude and adjusted relationships between youth ever-daily smoking and adults ever smoking at least 100 cigarettes. Discussion These analyses were conducted to determine the relationship between statespecific estimates of youth and adult cigarette smoking prevalence, overall, and after adjusting for important policy covariates. In each crude analysis conducted, adolescent smoking prevalence was significantly and positively related to adult smoking prevalence. After adjustment, the adolescent-adult relationship was attenuated, but remained significant, for: 1997 overall and male current prevalence; 1997 overall, male, and female frequent use; 1999 female current prevalence and frequent use; and all age groups tested using 1999/2000 NHSDA data. Therefore, the relationships generally persisted after controlling for two important policy variables, price and strength of smoke-free air  legislation. Adjusted analyses, using 1997 and 1999 YRBSS and BRFSS data, also showed a significant relationship between the following measures of smoking initiation: youth ever smoking and adults ever smoking at least 100 cigar ettes; and youth ever-daily smoking and adults ever smoking at least 100 cigarettes. There are several limitations regarding these analyses. Results for the YRBSS/BRFSS data may be influenced by the relatively small number of states with weighted data used in analyses. There were 24 states with weighted YRBSS data in 1997, and 22 states with weighted YRBSS data in 1999. BRFSS data from 1997 and 1999 were only used for the same number of corresponding states with weighted YRBSS data in both respective years. The ecological fallacy may also be involved, since smoking behavior data were drawn and analyzed from state-specific population data. Other variables, such as relationship quality between adolescents and parents, may mediate the relationship between adolescent and adult smoking prevalence. Further research is needed to explore additional variables, which cannot be ruled out by these analyses, and may affect the state-specific relationship between adolescent and adult cigarette smoking. Results are consistent with the notion that adult smoking influences adolescent smoking. Findings are also consistent with parental literature, suggesting that youth behavior models adult behavior, and other research, suggesting that if adults quit youth may be less likely to smoke (16, 17, 19-21). These data support the belief that efforts to prevent initiation and promote quitting, among both adolescents and adults, would be included as key components of an optimal tobacco control strategy and an effective public health effort to reduce tobacco-related mortality and morbidity. An optimal tobacco control strategy would also include a component to protect non-smokers from  environmental tobacco smoke. Glantz and Jamieson have proposed that tobacco control efforts directed at adolescents and young adults need to also emphasize smoke-free air policies, which encourage smoking cessation among  youth, as well as adults (26). Research suggests that population tobacco control strategies that influence adult smoking, like price and smoke-free air, also influence youth smoking (33-38). Therefore, these strategies have a two-for-one effect. This lends further weight to the contention that reducing adult smoking is an important strategy to reduce the uptake of smoking among youth. Public health researchers have an important role in explaining why an emphasis on adult cessation is necessary, and why it does not imply any neglect of youth smoking. 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