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Cigarette smoking attitudes and first use among third- through sixth-grade students: the Bogalusa Heart Study
K J Greenlund1, C C Johnson, L S Webber
1Tulane Center for Cardiovascular Health, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112-2824, USA.
Objectives:
This study examined cigarette smoking attitudes, peer and parental influence, and first use among children in southeastern Louisiana.
Methods:
Data from 933 children in grades 3 through 6 in the Bogalusa Heart Study (1993 through 1994) were analyzed.
Results:
Fifteen percent of the children had tried smoking. Of these, 40% first smoked with a family member, and 46% obtained their first cigarette from a family member or from home. Correlates of ever having smoked were race, sex, having a best friend or family member who smoked, and attitudes that smoking is disgusting and that nonsmokers get better grades.
Conclusions:
Prevention programs should begin early and focus on family and peer influences as well as attitudes.