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Early dating predicts smoking during adolescence: A prospective study
Jennifer A Fidler1, Robert West, Martin J Jarvis
1Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. j.fidler@ucl.ac.uk
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
|December 13, 2006
Summary
Early dating strongly predicts adolescent smoking uptake, independent of confounding factors. Identifying young daters can aid smoking prevention efforts in schools.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent health
- Behavioral science
- Public health
Background:
- Adolescent smoking remains a significant public health concern.
- Understanding behavioral predictors of smoking uptake is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prospective relationship between early adolescent dating and subsequent smoking behavior.
- To determine if this association persists after controlling for potential confounders.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year prospective cohort study involving 4319 students aged 11-16 years in South London.
- Annual questionnaires assessed dating, smoking, social, and psychological factors; cotinine assays verified smoking status.
Main Results:
- Early dating (age 11-12) was a significant predictor of later smoking uptake in both genders.
- Odds ratios for smoking uptake ranged from 1.87 to 8.96, remaining significant after controlling for confounders.
- Past smoking did not predict later dating, suggesting dating precedes smoking initiation.
Conclusions:
- A strong, independent association exists between early dating and adolescent smoking.
- Potential explanations include smoking for social image and shared maturity aspirations.
- Targeting early daters may offer a novel approach for smoking prevention interventions.
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