Predictors of risk for different stages of adolescent smoking in a biracial sample.

Abstract

This investigation was designed to identify the risk factors associated with different stages of cigarette use in a large biracial adolescent sample. A questionnaire assessing smoking habits and variables thought to be related to smoking was administered to 6,967 7th graders. Analysis revealed that the best predictor of experimentation with cigarettes was the perception that they were easily available. Regular smoking appeared to be heavily influenced by cost. Social influences contributed to both experimental and regular smoking, but the impact of social models varied with ethnicity and gender. Analysis further revealed that weight-related variables were closely tied to regular smoking. Implications of the findings for smoking prevention programs are discussed.

Randomized Trial of Reduced-Nicotine Standards for Cigarettes

“…One psychological study supports the po tential impact of limiting minors' access to cigarettes (Robinson et al 1997). In this investigation of 6,967 seventh graders of mixed ethnicity, the best predictor of experimentation with cigarettes was the perception of easy availability.…”

Substance use by Indigenous and non-Indigenous primary school students

“…Consistent with much previous research, experimental cigarette smoking was associated with smoking by friends, intention to smoke in high school, and having drunk alcohol and smoked marijuana. [2][3][4][5][6] It should be emphasised that these data are derived from a convenience sample of schools selected because of high enrolments of Indigenous students, and hence the prevalence statistics cannot be extrapolated to the wider community. Nevertheless, the prevalence data are broadly consistent with other published statistics.…”

Physician Communication Regarding Smoking and Adolescent Tobacco Use

“…Each construct was assessed by few items, but the questions were culled from similar investigations 16,18 and the items behaved as expected. Another limitation is the lack of biochemical validation of smoking.…”

“…Four questions assessed the extent to which teenagers expected positive social outcomes from smoking, 18 with responses measured on 4-point Likert scales. Scores were averaged, producing an overall scale ranging from 0 to 3, with higher scores representing stronger belief in the social benefits of smoking.…”

“…18 The first survey was given in 1994 to a cohort of 6967 seventh grade students and repeated annually for 9 years. Surveys were administered in schools by teachers, using procedures that maximized student confidentiality.…”