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Smoking and associated factors among young Swedish females
1Dalarna Research Institute, Falun, Sweden.
Objective:
To analyse the smoking habits of young females and various associated factors.
Design:
Cross-sectional population study; questionnaire with fixed-response options.
Setting:
Upper secondary schools in the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken in central Sweden.
Subjects:
524 girls aged 16-19; response rate 85%.
Main Outcome Measures:
Social smoking, daily smoking, heavy smoking.
Results:
The following causes of social smoking among 16-17-year-old girls were identified: a dismissive attitude to the danger of smoking, maternal smoking, and being sexually experienced. A dismissive attitude to smoking and maternal smoking were the corresponding causes among 18-19-year-olds. A practical school curriculum, lack of interest in sports, smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a desire for weight control were the causes of daily smoking among 16-17-year-olds. Smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a dismissive attitude to smoking were the corresponding causes among 18-19-year-olds.
Conclusions:
The most important cause of social smoking among female 16-19-year-olds was a dismissive attitude to the dangers of smoking. The causes of daily smoking and heavy smoking were more complex, particularly among 16-17-year-olds, and included various social characteristics and habits of the respondents.