Correlates of experimentation with smoking and current cigarette consumption among adolescents

• Published in: Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia 2014-12, Vol.40 (6), p.634-642
• Main Authors: Bonilha, Amanda Gimenes, Ruffino-Netto, Antonio, Sicchieri, Mayara Piani, Achcar, Jorge Alberto, Rodrigues-Júnior, Antonio Luiz, Baddini-Martinez, José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Brazil - epidemiology; Comportamento do adolescente; Cross-Sectional Studies; Estresse psicológico; Female; Humans; Hábito de fumar; Male; Original; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking - psychology; Stress, Physiological; Students - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Tobacco Use Disorder - epidemiology; Tobacco Use Disorder - etiology; Tobacco Use Disorder - psychology
• ISSN: 1806-3713; 1806-3756; 1806-3756; 1806-3713
• DOI: 10.1590/S1806-37132014000600007

The aim of this study was to analyze social characteristics and stress as correlates of cigarette smoking in adolescence. The main intent was to identify elements that distinguish adolescents who had experimented with smoking and did not progress to regular smoking from those who became current smokers. Students at 10 high schools in the city of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil, completed a questionnaire based on an instrument employed in a similar large-scale study. The students were classified as never-smokers or experimenters. The experimenters were subcategorized as having become current smokers or nonprogressors. Analyses were performed using adjusted logistic models. A total of 2,014 students (mean age, 16.2 ± 1.1 years; females, 53%) completed the questionnaire. We categorized 1,283 students (63.7%) as never-smokers, 244 (12.1%) as current smokers, and 487 (24.2%) as nonprogressors. We found that experimentation with smoking was associated with being held back a grade in school (OR = 1.80), alcohol intake (low/occasional, OR = 8.92; high/regular, OR = 2.64), illicit drug use (OR = 9.32), having a sibling or cousin who smokes (OR = 1.39), having a friend who smokes (OR = 2.08), and high levels of stress (in females only, OR = 1.32). Factors associated with an increased risk of transitioning from experimenter to current smoker were alcohol intake (low/occasional, OR = 3.28; high/regular, OR = 2.16), illicit drug use (OR = 3.61), and having a friend who smokes (OR = 7.20). Current smoking was associated with a profile of socioeconomic correlates different from that associated with experimentation only. Our data (showing that current smoking was associated with having a friend who smokes, alcohol intake, and illicit drug use) suggest the need for comprehensive approaches to discourage substance use during adolescence.