Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that early smoking initiation predicts longer duration of smoking, heavier daily consumption and increased chances of nicotine dependence.The goal of the peresent study was to examine the effect of personal and environmental factors on two transition in the adolescent smoking uptake process: from never smoking to experimentation and from experimentation to regular smoking.
Method and Materials: A total of 1132 students was assessed twice. A self-administered questionnaire with 38 questions was distributed to students in March 2003. After eight months, another questionnaire with 5-items was distributed to those students. Logistic regression was used to predict different transition in smoking stages.
Results: At the end of follow-up, 11.4 percent of never smoker progressed to experimention, and 14.47 percent of experimeter progressed to regular smoking. Among never smokers, having best smoker friends and friendship smoker group predicted experimentation. Among experimenters, smoker in the family distinguished those who progressed to Regular smoking by follow-up.
Conclusion: smoking prevention should begin with adolescent even younger than 14.