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Perceptions of smoking-related risks and benefits as predictors of adolescent smoking initiation

Author

Listed:
  • Song, A.V.
  • Morrell, H.E.R.
  • Cornell, J.L.
  • Ramos, M.E.
  • Biehl, M.
  • Kropp, R.Y.
  • Halpern-Felsher, B.L.

Abstract

Objectives. We used prospective, longitudinal data to directly test whether smoking-related perceptions predict smoking initiation among adolescents. Methods. We administered surveys assessing perceptions of smoking-related risks and benefits to 395 high school students, beginning at the start of their ninthgrade year.Weconducted follow-up assessments every 6 months until the end of 10th grade, obtaining 4 waves of data. Results. Adolescents who held the lowest perceptions of long-term smoking-related risks were 3.64 times more likely to start smoking than were adolescents who held the highest perceptions of risk. Adolescents who held the lowest perceptions of short-term smoking-related risks were 2.68 times more likely to initiate smoking. Adolescents who held the highest perceptions of smoking-related benefits were 3.31 timesmore likely to initiate smoking. Conclusions. Smoking initiation is directly related to smoking-related perceptions of risks and benefits. Efforts to reduce adolescent smoking should continue to communicate the health risks of smoking and counteract perceptions of benefits associated with smoking.

Suggested Citation

  • Song, A.V. & Morrell, H.E.R. & Cornell, J.L. & Ramos, M.E. & Biehl, M. & Kropp, R.Y. & Halpern-Felsher, B.L., 2009. "Perceptions of smoking-related risks and benefits as predictors of adolescent smoking initiation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(3), pages 487-492.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2008.137679_5
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.137679
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    1. Edward Sutanto & Connor Miller & Danielle M. Smith & Ron Borland & Andrew Hyland & K. Michael Cummings & Anne C.K. Quah & Steve Shaowei Xu & Geoffrey T. Fong & Janine Ouimet & Itsuro Yoshimi & Yumiko , 2020. "Concurrent Daily and Non-Daily Use of Heated Tobacco Products with Combustible Cigarettes: Findings from the 2018 ITC Japan Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Karma McKelvey & Shivani Mathur Gaiha & Kevin L. Delucchi & Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, 2021. "Measures of both perceived general and specific risks and benefits differentially predict adolescent and young adult tobacco and marijuana use: findings from a Prospective Cohort Study," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Karl Erik Lund & Tord Finne Vedoy, 2019. "Relative Risk Perceptions between Snus and Cigarettes in a Snus-Prevalent Society—An Observational Study over a 16 Year Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Jakub Szymański & Aurelia Ostrowska & Jarosław Pinkas & Wojciech Giermaziak & Edyta Krzych-Fałta & Mateusz Jankowski, 2022. "Awareness of Tobacco-Related Diseases among Adults in Poland: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, May.
    5. Julianna M. Nemeth & Allison M. Glasser & Alice Hinton & Joseph M. Macisco & Amy Wermert & Raya Smith & Hannah Kemble & Georgia Sasser, 2023. "Brain Injury Is Prevalent and Precedes Tobacco Use among Youth and Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Lok Tung Leung & Sai Yin Ho & Jianjiu Chen & Man Ping Wang & Tai Hing Lam, 2018. "Favourable Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes Relative to Cigarettes and the Associations with Susceptibility to Electronic Cigarette Use in Hong Kong Chinese Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, January.
    7. Sukaina Alzyoud & Khalid A. Kheirallah & Linda S. Weglicki & Kenneth D. Ward & Abdallah Al-Khawaldeh & Ali Shotar, 2014. "Tobacco Smoking Status and Perception of Health among a Sample of Jordanian Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Naomi A. Lagerweij & Mirte A. G. Kuipers & Michael Schreuders & Adeline Grard & Martin Mlinarić & Matthias Richter & Teresa Leão & Jaana M. Kinnunen & Anton E. Kunst, 2019. "The visibility of smoking in Europe and its relationship with youth’s positive beliefs about smoking," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(9), pages 1335-1344, December.
    9. Joanna K. Sax & Neal Doran, 2022. "Evaluation of Risk Perception of Smoking after the Implementation of California’s Tobacco 21 Law," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-8, December.
    10. Frank Sloan & Alyssa Platt, 2011. "Information, risk perceptions, and smoking choices of youth," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 42(2), pages 161-193, April.
    11. Marti, Joachim, 2012. "A best–worst scaling survey of adolescents' level of concern for health and non-health consequences of smoking," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(1), pages 87-97.
    12. Jennifer M. Murray & Sharon C. Sánchez-Franco & Olga L. Sarmiento & Erik O. Kimbrough & Christopher Tate & Shannon C. Montgomery & Rajnish Kumar & Laura Dunne & Abhijit Ramalingam & Erin L. Krupka & F, 2023. "Selection homophily and peer influence for adolescents’ smoking and vaping norms and outcomes in high and middle-income settings," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-35, December.
    13. Ahnna Lee & Kang-Sook Lee & Hanul Park, 2019. "Association of the Use of a Heated Tobacco Product with Perceived Stress, Physical Activity, and Internet Use in Korean Adolescents: A 2018 National Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-12, March.

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