Related Experiment Videos
Smoking initiation and smoking patterns among US college students
S A Everett1, C G Husten, L Kann
1Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion NCCDPHP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, Atlanta, USA.
Journal of American College Health : J of ACH
|September 29, 1999
Summary
Most college students have tried smoking, with many starting by age 18. Despite attempts to quit, a high percentage of young adult smokers continue to smoke, highlighting the need for prevention and cessation programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Smoking initiation and progression among young adults is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the age of smoking onset is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Previous research indicates high rates of smoking experimentation and persistence in college populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the age of smoking initiation among college students aged 18-24.
- To examine the relationship between the age of smoking onset and subsequent smoking behaviors.
- To assess smoking cessation attempts and success rates in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey.
- Analyzed smoking behaviors including trying smoking, current smoking, frequent smoking, and daily smoking.
- Examined the age at which daily smoking began and quit attempts among daily smokers.
Main Results:
- 70% of college students surveyed had tried smoking.
- Among those who had tried smoking, 42% were current smokers, with 13% being daily smokers.
- The majority (81%) of daily smokers initiated smoking by age 18 or younger; 19% started at age 19 or older.
- 82% of daily smokers had attempted to quit, but 75% remained smokers.
- No significant gender differences were observed in smoking initiation or daily smoking.
Conclusions:
- Early initiation of smoking, particularly by age 18, is strongly associated with persistent smoking in young adulthood.
- A substantial proportion of college students who smoke daily have tried to quit, indicating a high level of nicotine dependence.
- Comprehensive smoking prevention and cessation programs are urgently needed at both high school and college levels to address this public health issue.