Smoking in teenage girls: an assessment of attitudes and the influence of family and peer smoking.

Abstract

The present study examine the influence of the smoking behaviour of family members and peers on the smoking behaviour of teenage girls. Attitudes towards smoking are also examined across three age groups. 130 Females from three age groups, 12/13 years, 15/16 years and 18/19 years competed a smoking questionnaire. Significant differences in smoking behaviour were found across age groups and indicate that the main period for transition from non-smoker to smoker occurs between the ages of 15/16 and 18/19. Examination of the influence of family and peer smoking indicated that having a father, older sister or best friend who smoked influenced smoking in teenage girls. The smoking behaviour of other family members was less important. Attitudes toward smoking were also found to vary across the age groups.