[Smoking among school adolescents and the social environment]

The aim of the study was: (1) to assess the prevalence and intensity of tobacco smoking among 11 to 15-year old Polish adolescents in 2002; (2) to test the relationships between peer, parental and adolescents smoking; (3) acceptance of smoking among parents and friends; (4) smoking in the presence of parents and friends. The study was conducted in 2002 within the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children: A WHO Collaborative Cross-national Study. The international standard questionnaire was used. A sample was selected as representative for general school population at three age groups: 11.7; 13.7; and 15.7. It was found that 44% of youth had already started to smoke tobacco, and 17% has smoked cigarettes with different frequency, 8% smoked everyday The higher percentage of regular smokers was found among the adolescents whose parents and peers smoked everyday. The rate of smokers who perceived their peers as smoking persons has considerably increased with age and depended on fact whether a tested person smoked himself/herself or not. Smoking among young people has taken place in various circumstances but most often in the company of other smoking people. They started to smoke alone very seldom. Frequency and intensity of smoking in various situations increase with age. One person in ten received the permission for smoking at home at the presence of their parents. Results of the survey may be used in school and local preventive interventions.