Smoking prevalence among 15-16-year-olds in Doncaster, England

An anonymous self-completion questionnaire on smoking was completed by 2065 (60 per cent) 15-16-year-olds attending secondary schools in Doncaster in 1991. Almost one in four girls (23 per cent) and one in six boys (16 per cent) reported they were regular smokers, an overall increase of 8 per cent since a similar survey in 1988. An increase in smoking was recorded in 12 of the 14 schools which took part in both the 1988 and 1991 surveys. Differences in smoking prevalence were recorded between schools. School-based analysis is likely to be important for the development of effective local intervention. Possible reasons for the overall increase in smoking are discussed, and the need for concerted efforts to influence smoking regulation policy decisions is stressed.