Abstract
Background
Beliefs about smoking are important predictors of smoking behavior among adolescents, and adolescents who hold positive beliefs
about the benefits of smoking are at an increased risk of smoking initiation. An alarming fact is the rising smoking prevalence
in Asian countries, particularly the increasing trend in smoking during adolescence.
about the benefits of smoking are at an increased risk of smoking initiation. An alarming fact is the rising smoking prevalence
in Asian countries, particularly the increasing trend in smoking during adolescence.
Results
The rate of ever smoking among youth was similar in all three countries and ranged from 26.7 to 28.0 %. The prevalence of current smoking among youth in Thailand (11.4 %) was nearly double the prevalence in South Korea (6.6 %) and Taiwan (6.5 %). Pro-tobacco
advertising exposure, as well as older ages, was a positive and significant predictor of positive beliefs about smoking among
youth in all three countries. Additionally, youth who reported increased positive smoking-related beliefs, greater pro-tobacco
advertising exposure, and were male were more likely to be current smokers in all three countries.
advertising exposure, as well as older ages, was a positive and significant predictor of positive beliefs about smoking among
youth in all three countries. Additionally, youth who reported increased positive smoking-related beliefs, greater pro-tobacco
advertising exposure, and were male were more likely to be current smokers in all three countries.
Conclusion
Results suggest that greater attention be directed to understanding beliefs and attitudes about smoking among youth. Exploring
the relationship between these factors and smoking behavior can provide a strong starting point in the development of effective
smoking prevention interventions and tobacco control policies in this region.
the relationship between these factors and smoking behavior can provide a strong starting point in the development of effective
smoking prevention interventions and tobacco control policies in this region.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-012-9236-3
- Authors
- Joann Lee, Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, University of California, San Francisco, 530 Parnassus Avenue, Suite 366, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
- Carolyn Johnson, Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Janet Rice, Department of Biostatistics, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- C. Wick Warren, Office of Smoking and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, N.E., MS K-50, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Ted Chen, Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503