Health risk behaviors in smoking and non-smoking young women

To compare the health, health risk behaviors and stress levels of college female smokers and non-smokers.

Forty-one college women, ages 18-21 years, participated in an interview and completed a health survey and the Derogatis Stress Profile.

The smokers perceived themselves to be more overweight (Chi square, p = < .001). Smokers used more marijuana (Chi square, p = < .003) and had higher scores on depression [t (39) = 2.29, p = .028], hostility [t (39) = 2.562, p = .014] and perceived quality of health [t (39) = 2.72, p = .01]. In the interview, smokers identified social situations involving alcohol as the time they would most likely smoke. Smokers did not smoke when ill and all were interested in quitting. The non-smoking women support smoking cessation for their peers.

College alcohol and substance use prevention and treatment programs should address tobacco cessation. The majority of college women are not smokers and could be resources to encourage smoking cessation among their peers. Smoking cessation at this age has dramatic implications for future health.