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A survey of adolescent smoking patterns
A Dappen1, R H Schwartz, R O'Donnell
1Department of Pediatrics, Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia, USA.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Adolescent smokers often start young, showing poor academic performance and increased substance use. Many struggle to quit, highlighting the need for physician intervention in smoking cessation programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Tobacco Control
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for smoking initiation.
- Understanding adolescent smoking patterns is crucial for public health interventions.
- Vocational high school students represent a key demographic for studying smoking habits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate smoking patterns and habits among vocational high school students.
- To identify predictors and associated factors of adolescent smoking.
- To assess the effectiveness of objective measures for detecting smoking.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 154 students (aged 14-20).
- Smokers (n=99) completed an additional questionnaire on smoking habits and cessation.
- Objective measures including exhaled carbon monoxide and salivary cotinine were used.
Main Results:
- 65% of student smokers consumed ≥10 cigarettes daily, starting by age 13.
- Smoking was associated with peer/family smoking, poorer grades, and higher alcohol/marijuana use.
- Exhaled carbon monoxide was a sensitive and cost-effective smoking detection method.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent smoking is linked to poor academic performance and substance abuse, posing health risks.
- Most adolescent smokers have attempted quitting multiple times with high relapse rates.
- Physicians should actively offer smoking cessation support to motivated adolescents.