Never smokers, triers and current smokers: three distinct target groups for school-based antismoking programs

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Social Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Past smoking experience is a strong predictor of adolescent smoking onset.
• Social learning theory provides a framework for understanding smoking behavior.
• Identifying risk factors for adolescent smoking is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test if adolescents who have tried smoking (Triers) differ from never smokers on risk factors for smoking re-onset.
• To examine differences between Triers and current smokers.
• To inform the design of school-based smoking prevention programs.

Main Methods:

• Survey of 2339 seventh and eighth graders in Eastern Massachusetts and Northern California in October 1980.
• Utilized a social learning framework to assess risk factors.
• Categorized participants into Never Smokers, Triers, and Smokers.

Main Results:

• Triers were more likely than Never Smokers to have smoking peers, friends, and family, experience peer pressure, believe smoking aids relaxation, and be rebellious.
• Girl Triers reported cigarette ads increased their desire to smoke.
• Triers perceived smoking as less harmful than current smokers but did not differ in normative expectations.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent smoking triers exhibit distinct psychosocial profiles compared to never smokers.
• Social learning factors, including peer influence and perceived benefits, are critical in adolescent smoking.
• Findings support tailored school-based interventions addressing these specific risk factors.