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The contribution of smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae carriage in children and their mothers.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with higher risk of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae infection. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke on S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae carriage rates in children and their mothers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional surveillance study of nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal carriage of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae in 208 children aged <60 months and their mothers. Smoking exposure and medical history were recorded. Carriage rates for children and their mothers in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal specimens were analyzed on the basis of smoking exposure. RESULTS: The S. pneumoniae carriage rate was higher among children exposed to smoking than among nonexposed children (76% vs. 60%; P=.016). Exposed children more frequently carried S. pneumoniae serotypes included in the conjugate 7-valent vaccine, compared with nonexposed children (49% vs. 30% of all S. pneumoniae-positive nasopharyngeal cultures; P=.02). Carriage rates of S. pneumoniae were higher among mothers who smoked than among mothers exposed to smoking and among nonexposed mothers (32%, 15%, and 12%, respectively; P=.03). There were no differences in H. influenzae carriage rates between children and mothers from smoking and nonsmoking families. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to tobacco smoke increased S. pneumoniae carriage rates in general and for carriage of serotypes included in the conjugate 7-valent vaccine in particular in children. Smoking mothers had a higher S. pneumoniae carriage rate than did nonsmoking mothers. Smoking or exposure to smoking did not increase H. influenzae carriage rates in children and mothers.

Adult↗

Self-regulation of smoking intensity. Smoke yields of the low-nicotine, low-'tar' cigarettes.

It has been assumed for some time that the 'tar' and nicotine data for individual cigarette brands, as reported by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), do not adequately reflect the levels of exposure to toxic and carcinogenic agents in the smoke. The trend of decreasing 'tar' and nicotine yields of the sales-weighted average US cigarettes was not followed by a proportionate decline of lung cancer incidence and mortality rates. Utilizing a 'tobacco smoke inhalation testing system', we determined smoking profiles for four men and four women who smoked low-nicotine cigarettes ( < or = 0.8 mg/cigarette according to FTC), and for two men and two women who smoked cigarettes with medium-nicotine (0.9-1.2 mg) yields. The recorded smoking profiles were programmed into a smoking machine to establish mainstream smoke yields for 'tar', nicotine, benzo[a]pyrene and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone. The analytical data obtained for each smoker's cigarette were compared with corresponding measurements in the smoke from the same cigarette brand that was generated by machine-smoking under the standardized FTC conditions (1 puff of 2 s duration and 35 ml volume drawn once/min). Significant increases in terms of total volume of smoke inhaled and exposures to 'tar', nicotine, and lung carcinogens were measured (2- to 4-fold) and, because of smokers' compensation for low nicotine delivery, much greater overall exposure resulted from smoking low-nicotine cigarettes. Although these measurements were obtained for a limited number of smokers, they strongly indicate that both low- and medium-nicotine cigarettes are being smoked much more intensely than would be implied from the FTC-data. Therefore, there is an urgent need to accurately quantify the exposure of consumers of the various types of cigarettes to toxic and carcinogenic agents.

Adult↗

Periconceptional smoking: an exploratory study of determinants of change in smoking behavior among women in the fertile age range.

How can women who are not yet pregnant be motivated to stop smoking before they become pregnant? Epidemiological studies have suggested that periconceptional smoking and smoking during the first trimester of the pregnancy may lead to congenital abnormalities. To motivate women to stop smoking before pregnancy, more insight is needed into the differences between 'smoking' women who want to have children and those who do not. A sample of 931 women (65% response rate) aged 15-45 years returned a questionnaire with questions about their smoking behavior, wish to have children, risk perceptions, attitude to smoking, personal efficacy and stage of readiness to change. In spite of some positive outcomes (e.g. negative attitude to smoking, relatively high risk perceptions of the relationship between congenital anomalies and smoking), one cannot automatically assume that these women will stop smoking before they get pregnant. (1) Beliefs, attitude and readiness to change were not well integrated and grounded cognitively. (2) Women who smoked were pessimistic about their ability to quit. Future campaigns need to 'invite' women to associate and to integrate risk information about the relationship between smoking and congenital abnormalities with other cognitions (attitude, intention). It is also important to instruct women in how to stop smoking and to remain non-smokers.

Adolescent↗

An examination of early smoking experiences and smoking status in a national cross-sectional sample.

AIMS: To extend previous work showing lightheadedness from and liking for smoking to be associated with continued smoking while controlling for demographics and social influences that can also contribute to progression to established smoking. DESIGN AND SETTING: Random digit dialing telephone survey conduced on 3383 never smokers, non-smokers, former smokers and current smokers in the continental United States. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic information (sex, race, age, education level), smoking history, reactions to early experiences with smoking (lightheadedness, liking), whether parents, siblings or friends smoked when respondent was a teenager. FINDINGS: Lightheadedness and liking interacted-those who liked smoking (regardless of lightheadedness) were very likely to progress to established smoking, while non-likers who experienced lightheadedness were more likely than non-likers who did not experience lightheadedness to progress. These results held even after adjusting for demographic (sex, age, race, education) and social influences (parents, siblings and friends smoking). CONCLUSIONS: Lightheadedness from early smoking appears to be associated with having smoked 100 cigarettes only among those who report not liking early smoking. Overall, this study supports the literature suggesting that early experiences, particularly liking smoking, are associated with becoming a regular smoker.

Adolescent↗

The effect of the teachers smoking behavior on their involvement in smoking education in the schools.

The smoking behavior and attitudes of public school teachers were studied to determine if the teachers' smoking behavior is related to their attitudes and behavior regarding students' smoking practice and smoking education in schools. The Northampton, Massachusetts, School System was studied, where 162 of the 194 teachers randomly selected from various schools in the district completed the close-ended questionnaires administered and collected by the researcher. The study yielded a return rate of 83 percent. The results of the study showed that the general climate in school is one conducive to the establishment of a comprehensive smoking education program. It also indicates that the teachers' attitudes and behavior towards smoking education were closely related to their smoking behavior. The ex-smokers were the most active group in attempting to initiate student smoking behavior change, while the smoking teachers were the least active in this respect. Furthermore, pre-service and in-service teacher training programs in relation to smoking education were shown to be extremely sparse and ineffective in the past. This study suggests the need to strengthen pre-service and in-service teacher training programs in smoking education and to make smoking cessation programs available to those teacher who want to stop smoking.

Attitude to Health↗

A study of serum thiocyanate concentrations in office workers as a means of validating smoking histories and assessing passive exposure to cigarette smoke.

Patients in clinical practice often falsely report their smoking status. To see if this was so in occupational surveys we have validated smoking histories (using a serum thiocyanate assay) in 206 randomly sampled office workers who completed a smoking questionnaire administered by a doctor. Past and present cigarette consumption was determined with an assessment of exposure to passive cigarette smoke at home and at work in the non-smokers. Serum thiocyanate concentrations were measured by the ferric nitrate method. All smoking groups showed mean thiocyanate concentrations greater than non-smokers except those smoking five or fewer cigarettes a day. There was a significant increase in plasma thiocyanate with increasing smoking (p less than 0.01). Non-smokers with and without exposure to passive smoke could not be separated by thiocyanate concentration. In our hands serum thiocyanate concentrations identified moderate and heavy smokers but could not distinguish between non-smokers, light smokers, and passive smokers. Fourteen non-smokers had serum thiocyanate concentrations higher than 70 mumol/l which were still raised on a repeat sample. On a further questionnaire two admitted to smoking. To help confirm non-smoking status, expired carbon monoxide levels were also checked in this group. One person had a level of 22 ppm and subsequently admitted to smoking. In the others the levels were less than or equal to 10 ppm. Using a combination of serum thiocyanate assay and exhaled breath carbon monoxide levels, non-smoking was confirmed in 98% of those stating that they were non-smokers. In non-smokers exposure to passive cigarette smoke was much more likely to occur at work than at home.

Environmental Exposure↗

Smoking habit among the relatives of patients with serious smoking-related disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To assess smoking habit and awareness of smoking as a potential cause of disease among relatives of patients with serious smoking-related disorders. DESIGN AND SETTING: A survey using a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire at the Ege University Hospital between October 1998 and March 1999. SUBJECTS: We interviewed 242 relatives of patients with serious smoking-related disorders, of whom 56.6% were female and 43.4% male. The mean age was 41.2 +/- 13.2 years (15-75). One relative per patient completed the questionnaire and the chosen relative took care of the patient during his illness and accompanied him during hospital visits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed the relationship between smoking habit and the perception of smoking as a potential cause of illness by the relatives. Statistical analysis was performed by chi(2) test. RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking among relatives was 37.6% [49.5% males (n = 105) and 28.5% females (n = 137), p = 0.0003] and an additional 20.2% were ex-smokers. Of the relatives, 86.4% knew that the diseases were directly related to smoking, and 37.8% of these people were smokers and 21.5% ex-smokers. Only 7.2% reported that they had quit smoking after being influenced by the diseases of the patients. The decision to quit was statistically unrelated to the awareness of smoking as the cause of disease. Of all the relatives, 69.2% had tried to quit at least once, 86.8% considered quitting, and 89.0% considered using professional help for smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: The findings show that even though this group of smokers is aware of the harmful effects of smoking they cannot successfully quit smoking; however, the majority reconsider quitting and receiving professional help.

Adolescent↗

Effects of smoking and smoking cessation on longitudinal decline in pulmonary function.

Effects of cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on rate of FEV1 decline over 6 yr were examined in 4,451 Japanese-American men from the Honolulu Heart Program who were 45 to 68 yr of age at baseline (1965-1968). Within-person regression was used to calculate annual change in FEV1. Rates of FEV1 decline varied strongly with smoking status and increased significantly with age. Overall, men who continued to smoke experienced steeper rates of decline compared with men who never smoked (-33 ml/yr versus -22 ml/yr, respectively; p = 0.0001). Rates of decline for those who quit smoking during the first 2 yr (-32 ml/yr) were nearly the same as those who continued smoking (-34 ml/yr). After quitting, their rates of decline diminished to a level (-19 ml/yr) similar to that of men who had never smoked (-21 ml/yr). FEV1 decline in continuing smokers was significantly associated with duration of smoking, whereas associations with intensity and pack-years were of borderline significance. Among 216 men with impaired pulmonary function, those who quit smoking had significantly slower rates of FEV1 decline than did those who continued smoking. Potential reasons for quitting included respiratory conditions and stroke. These results extend previous reports of accelerated rates of FEV1 decline in the persons who continue to smoke, and they indicate that smoking cessation leads to less steep rates of decline in pulmonary function over a short period of time in middle-aged men, as well as in men with established pulmonary impairment.

Aging↗

Socio-demographic factors associated with smoking and smoking cessation among 426,344 pregnant women in New South Wales, Australia.

BACKGROUND: This study explores the socio-demographic characteristics of pregnant women who continue to smoke during the pregnancy, and identifies the characteristics of the smokers who were likely to quit smoking during the pregnancy period. METHODS: This was secondary analysis of the New South Wales (NSW) Midwives Data Collection (MDC) 1999-2003, a surveillance system covering all births in NSW public and private hospitals, as well as home births. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the associations between socio-demographic characteristics and smoking behaviour during pregnancy. RESULTS: Data from 426,344 pregnant women in NSW showed that 17.0% continued to smoke during pregnancy. The smoking rate was higher among teenage mothers, those with an Aboriginal (indigenous) background, and lower among more affluent and overseas-born mothers. This study also found that unbooked confinements, and lack of antenatal care in the first trimester were strongly associated with increased risk of smoking during pregnancy. About 4.0% of the smoking women reported they may quit smoking during their pregnancy. Findings showed that mothers born overseas, of higher socio-economic status, first time mothers and those who attended antenatal care early showed an increased likelihood of smoking cessation during pregnancy. Those who were heavy smokers were less likely to quit during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has been declining, it remains a significant public health concern. Smoking cessation programs should target the population subgroups of women at highest risk of smoking and who are least likely to quit. Effective antismoking interventions could reduce the obstetric and perinatal complications of smoking in pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

Unique contributions of meanings of smoking and outcome expectancies to understanding smoking initiation in middle school.

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that meanings of smoking are highly predictive of smoking in middle school children. Three factors of meanings of smoking have been suggested in the literature: personal meanings, functional meanings, and social meanings. These conceptually derived factors of meanings of smoking have not previously been empirically studied. PURPOSE: This study examined the factor structure of the Meanings of Smoking Index (MSI) to determine the unique contribution of meanings of smoking and positive outcome expectancies to smoking behavior in middle school children. METHODS: A multiethnic sample of 2,247 eighth-grade students enrolled in 24 middle schools in greater Los Angeles completed a paper-and-pencil survey in class. RESULTS: Four factors of the MSI emerged (functional, personal, social image, and weight concern). Positive outcome expectancies and each of the four factors of the MSI predicted lifetime smoking in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: Meanings of smoking were empirically distinct from positive outcome expectancies. Adolescents who endorsed personal and functional meanings were more likely to smoke. Social image and weight concern meanings were negatively related to smoking after controlling for all other meanings. Meanings of smoking may prove to be important and modifiable mediators of smoking and therefore useful in future prevention studies.

Adolescent↗

Relation between smoking status of physicians and their enthusiasm to offer smoking cessation advice.

Are nonsmoking physicians more likely to give smoking cessation advice to their patients? To determine this, we sent a questionnaire individually to physicians in Tokyo. The average age of the 323 respondents was 59.8 +/- 12.9 (mean +/- SD); 84.8% of them were male and 21.1% were smokers. Among the respondents, 88.8% asked their patients about their smoking status, 79.9% advised smoking patients to stop, and 93.5% believed smoking cessation interventions to be necessary. Nonsmoking physicians were more likely to advise patients to stop smoking (85.6%) than smoking physicians (70.1%); the smoking physicians who themselves wished to reduce cigarette consumption or stop smoking were more likely to do so (85.0%) than those who did not wish to reduce or stop (43.5%). Moreover, more nonsmoking physicians seriously felt that smoking cessation interventions are necessary (31.2%) than did smoking physicians (6.5%). In conclusion, the smoking status and attitude towards smoking of physicians influences their enthusiasm to give advice to their patients against smoking.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

[Attitude of hospital visitors towards cigarette smoking inside hospital buildings; one more step towards a "smoke free hospital" in Israel].

In order to determine a policy within the hospital restricting smoking we previously surveyed the attitude of the hospital staff towards smoking inside the hospital buildings. In the present survey we examined the attitude of the hospital visitors on the same issue. One hundred and fifty-seven hospital visitors participated in the survey and answered a questionnaire; 93 visitors were smokers, 64 were non-smokers. Eighty-eighth percent of the visitors smoked during their visit, 4 cigarettes on the average, during an average length of stay of 2.8 hours, until completing the questionnaire. Eighty-three percent of the smokers were aware of the law that prohibits smoking in public buildings, and 71% were aware of the signs and advertisements that prohibit smoking in the hospital. Two thirds of the smokers declared that they would have refrained from smoking in the hospital if others around them also refrained from smoking and justified the law that prohibits smoking in public buildings, including hospitals. Sixty-nine percent of the smokers declared that they were willing to cooperate with hospital management in restricting smoking to the hospital grounds outside the hospital buildings, and would accept directives regarding smoking restriction from any hospital personnel. In fact, only 11% of the smokers were requested to stop smoking during their visit. These findings reinforce the results of our pervious survey conducted among the hospital staff and indicates the existence of a paradoxical vicious cycle of behavior among smokers and non-smokers, visitors and staff, in the hospital. On the one hand the smokers do not have the self-obedience necessary to stop smoking while visiting in the hospital, although they are aware of their misdeed. On the other hand the non-smokers lack the confidence that they will obtain the cooperation of the smokers, although the smokers are willing to cooperate. Both groups except someone else to either actively restrict them from smoking or to encourage them to restrict the smokers. Our findings suggest that this "someone else" is the hospital management (and the staff endorsed to implement this directive).

Adult↗

Current smoking, smoking cessation, and the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the effect of continued cigarette smoking and smoking cessation on SCD risk in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) is subject to controversy. We, therefore, evaluated the effect of cigarette smoking on SCD risk in a large cohort of patients with established CAD. METHODS: The study population was composed of 3122 patients with a previous myocardial infarction or stable angina who participated in the Bezafibrate Infarction Prevention Trial. Patients were prospectively followed up for a mean of 8.2 years. The primary end point was the incidence of SCD according to smoking status. RESULTS: Among the 370 patients who were current smokers, 30 (8.1%) experienced SCD; 83 (4.6%) of the 1821 patients who had quit smoking and 43 (4.6%) of the 931 patients who had never smoked experienced SCD (P =.01). In multivariate analyses, current smoking was associated with a significant increase in the risk of SCD (hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.46-4.19). Patients who had stopped smoking had no significant increase in the risk of SCD compared with patients who had never smoked (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-1.62). CONCLUSIONS: Current cigarette smoking is a powerful independent predictor of SCD risk in patients with CAD. Patients who quit smoking experienced a significant reduction in SCD risk. Thus, efforts to reduce mortality from SCD in patients with CAD should include vigorous smoking cessation strategies.

Aged↗

Evaluation of the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of mainstream whole smoke and smoke condensate from a cigarette containing a novel carbon filter.

A novel carbon filter has been developed which primarily reduces the amount of certain vapor phase constituents of tobacco smoke with greater efficiency than the charcoal filters of cigarettes currently in the market. In vitro indicators of genotoxic and cytotoxic potential were used to compare the cigarette smoke condensate (particulate phase) or whole cigarette smoke (vapor phase and particulate phase) from cigarettes containing the novel carbon filter with smoke condensate or whole smoke from commercial or prototype cigarettes not containing the novel carbon filter. Ames bacterial mutagenicity, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and neutral red cytotoxicity assays in CHO cells were utilized to assess the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of the cigarette smoke condensates. SCE and neutral red cytotoxicity assays were utilized to assess the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of the whole smoke. As expected, the novel carbon filter did not significantly affect the genotoxic or cytotoxic activity of the smoke condensate, although we did observe that the use of low-nitrogen tobacco reduced the mutagenicity of the condensate in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98. However, the whole smoke from cigarettes containing the novel carbon filter demonstrated significant reductions in genotoxic and cytotoxic potential compared to cigarettes without the novel carbon filter. The toxicity of the smoke was correlated (r = 0.7662 for cytotoxicity and r = 0.7562 for SCE induction) to the aggregate mass of several vapor phase components (acetone, acetaldehyde, acrolein, acrylonitrile, 1,3-butadiene, ammonia, NOx, HCN, benzene, isoprene, and formaldehyde) in the smoke of the cigarettes utilized in this study. In conclusion, this novel carbon filter, which significantly reduced the amount of carbonyls and other volatiles in mainstream cigarette smoke, resulted in significant reductions in the genotoxic and cytotoxic activity of the smoke as measured by these assays.

Animals↗

Comparison of the inhalation toxicity of kretek (clove cigarette) smoke with that of American cigarette smoke. I. One day exposure.

The comparative acute toxicity of a branded American cigarette and kreteks (Indonesian cigarettes containing approximately 60% tobacco and 40% ground clove buds) was assessed by exposure of groups of ten male and ten female rats to three different but equivalent (in terms of total particulate matter) concentrations of smoke from each type of cigarette. The smoke was delivered "nose only" using an HRC Rodent Smoking Machine (Mark IV) within a single 1-h period, with a total delivery of 30 min smoke and a 15 min air-breathing period between the two smoke exposures. Comparison of the immediate response to smoke exposure was made by monitoring respiration during exposure and by observation of the animals immediately following exposure. At this level, the only differences observed were more severe signs of smoke intoxication in the American smoke exposed animals which, at least in part, was attributed to the higher concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) to which these animals were exposed; CO concentrations in the American smoke atmospheres were 2-2.5 times higher than the corresponding kretek smoke atmospheres. Comparison of any delayed response was made by observation and measurement of body weight, food and water consumption for a sub-population maintained for 14 days following exposures. This comparison revealed no differences between the groups which could be attributed to the smoke exposures. Comparison of any lung changes induced were made at two intervals, 24 h and 14 days following smoke exposures. These intervals were selected to provide information on any damage to the lung attributable to the smoke exposures and any subsequent development or repair.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Desire to smoke during spaced smoking intervals.

This study examined the detailed time course of desire to smoke self-reports during brief periods of tobacco smoking deprivation to determine how these reports are related to amount and spacing of scheduled smoking. During four independent sessions, subjects (n = 10) smoked cigarettes at 30-, 60-, or 120-min intervals, or only smoked a single cigarette at the end of the 6-h session. At 15-min intervals, subjects answered four analog scale questions measuring their desire to smoke which were averaged to produce a single score. Mean desire to smoke scores were 28, 43, 59 and 71 in the 30-, 60-, 120- and 360-min cigarette spacing conditions, respectively, indicating an orderly relationship with amount of scheduled smoking. Patterns of change were similar across repeated observations and during several different deprivation intervals. Desire to smoke ratings, although temporarily suppressed by smoking, began rising within minutes of smoking and increased to near maximum levels (about 80 on a 100-point scale) after fewer than 3 h of abstinence. The observed rapid escalation in desire to smoke ratings during brief periods of abstinence is consistent with cigarette craving being reported by regular smokers who are not trying to quit. Further, if cravings can be accepted as a feature of tobacco withdrawal, the results support the view that avoidance of withdrawal is an important factor that maintains regular cigarette smoking.

Adult↗

Acute effects of self-paced walking on urges to smoke during temporary smoking abstinence.

RATIONALE: Recent research highlights the need to extend our understanding of how exercise may aid smoking cessation, through exploration of different modes, intensity and duration of exercise. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of a 1-mile self-paced walk on different measures of urges to smoke following temporary smoking abstinence. METHODS: In a within-subject counterbalanced design, following 15 h of smoking abstinence, participants (N=15) exercised or sat passively on separate days. A single-item measure of strength of desire to smoke was administered during, immediately post, and at 10 and 20 min post-treatment. The two-factor Questionnaire for Smoking Urges, involving intention and desire to engage in smoking behaviour which is anticipated as pleasant, enjoyable and satisfying (desire-behave), and anticipation of relief from negative affect through smoking (desire-affect relief), was administered before and 20 min post-treatment. RESULTS: A two-way repeated-measures MANOVA revealed a significant overall interaction effect for time by condition for strength of desire to smoke, and the two QSU scales. Two-way repeated-measures univariate ANOVAs revealed significant interaction effects for time by condition for each of the three urges to smoke measures. Planned contrasts revealed that exercise reduced cigarette cravings for up to 20 min after exercise, in comparison with the control condition. ANCOVAs revealed mixed support for independent effects of exercise on all measures of urges to smoke. CONCLUSION: A self-paced walk, at a low intensity, lasting 15-20 min can have a rapid and measurable positive effect on both single and multi-item measures of urges to smoke, lasting at least 20 min, during temporary smoking abstinence.

Adolescent↗

Reasons for smoking or not smoking in early adolescence.

Previous studies of smokers' and nonsmokers' reasons have not compared their reasons for smoking and their reasons for not smoking, or examined the extent of change or stability in these reasons over time. We examined reasons for smoking and not smoking in a large sample of 13-year-olds from the general population. Factor structures of reasons differed according to whether adolescents were smokers or nonsmokers. Nonsmokers were found to be less discriminating than smokers about the reasons for smoking. Smokers and nonsmokers tended to show more agreement about the reasons for not smoking. Recency of smoking was differentially related to the factors for smoking and the factors for not smoking. "Image" was a more important reason for smoking at age 11 than at age 13. "Friends" as a reason for smoking showed a small degree of consistency across age, whereas reasons involving relaxation and pleasure showed a relatively higher degree of consistency. Health, as a reason not to smoke, showed only a small degree of consistency, while social context, effects and access were moderately consistent as reasons not to smoke at ages 11 and 13.

Adolescent↗