Smoking and chronic respiratory symptoms in 11--15 year-old children

A questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of smoking and chronic respiratory symptoms in 315 White and 290 Coloured children in the 11--15-year old group. The quantity and duration of smoking, reasons for starting the habit, and social influences were examined. Simple tests of ventilatory function were also done. This study highlights the early age of onset of smoking in South African children, as in other countries, and provides a data base on which anti-smoking programmes can be structured.