Cigarette smoking among schoolboys in Beijing, China

The current study was designed to assess the recent rate of cigarette smoking and to examine the association of cigarette smoking with individual factors and problem behaviors using data collected in December 1997 from 323 middle school students (43% females) in Beijing, China. About 15% of the study sample (23% males and 5% females) reported having ever smoked. The data in the current study confirmed findings from our earlier study (Li et al., 1996, Substance Use and Misuse, 31, 545-563) that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Chinese adolescents was higher among males, increased with advancing age and was associated with participation in other problem behaviors and with poorer self-perceived academic performance. The data underscore the need for smoking-prevention programs targeting Chinese children and adolescents.