Smoking Among A Sample Of Australian Teenagers: Perceptions Of Social And Health Consequences

Abstract

AbstractAustralian national prevalence studies indicate that despite reductions in rates of smoking among younger secondary students, the proportion of smokers among older students remains unchanged in recent years and figures overall give cause for serious concern. This study examines the beliefs underlying adolescents' behaviour in relation to smoking and provides information about which beliefs should be targeted in persuasive communications designed to reduce adolescent smoking. One hundred and thirty adolescents in their second last year of high school were surveyed and results revealed that smokers were largely differentiated from others in relation to the perceived social consequences of smoking. They endorsed the beliefs that smoking would make them feel relaxed, gain personal enjoyment, look cool, and help with weight loss rather than beliefs regarding the health consequences. An important implication of the findings is that interventions may need to focus more on the perceived positive consequences of smoking, on changing social norms by correcting false beliefs about smoking prevalence and consequences, and by incorporating more skills-based components in prevention programs.