Smoking habits in school-children with 2 years follow-up

The proportion of smokers among Swedish school-children between 12 and 15 years of age and their short- and long-term attitudes and reactions towards smoking during an antismoking campaign was studied. Of a total of 413 pupils interviewed, 13.3% of the boys and 9.5% of the girls were smokers. Among the 15-year-old pupils 21% were smokers, whereas none of the 12-13-year-old pupils smoked at all. Everyday smoking was twice as common in boys as in girls but on follow-up there was no difference. Our study confirms a trend of diminishing smoking habits in boys but not among girls. Antitobacco campaigns may have a long-term positive effect in supporting changed attitudes towards smoking.