Centre for Health Promotion Research, Halmstad University, Halmstad and
Department of Primary Health Care, Göteborg University, Göteborg

Abstract

The objective for the study was to describe adolescents’ intention to stay tobacco-free in relation to influences from family and school. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used, with questionnaires comprising questions on demographics, smoking/snuffing habits, and opinions related to smoking, self-determination and role of adults. The study comprised 19 classes in five communities in the county of Halland, Sweden and the subjects of the study were pupils in grade five and eight (n=437), their parents (n=293) and school staff (school-nurses, teachers, headmasters, n=119). The main outcome measures were smoking and snuffing prevalence and opinions about tobacco and tobacco-prevention. The results showed that smoking patterns by relatives, especially siblings, influenced smoking experimentation, smoking prevalence and opinions about tobacco and tobacco prevention. Parents were valued as role-models and information-givers by the pupils. Parents, especially fathers,said they talked a lot with their children about smoking and its impact on health and economy. School-policy influenced smoking prevalence and pupils emphasised the importance of an overall smoking ban at school. Two important measures, to prevent youngsters from starting use of tobacco, was considered to be teaching peer-pressure resistance skills and enhancing self-determination. The conclusion is drawn that smoking patterns by relatives, especially siblings,influence smoking habits by adolescents and also their intention to smoke which may predict future smoking. The smoking patterns by siblings and peers are crucial and should influence tobacco prevention programmes. These would preferably be based on development of self-concepts like self-determination and development of social skills.

Keywords

Adolescence, Health education, Motivation, Smoking behaviour, Smoking prevention

Contact

von Bothmer Margareta

Institution

Centre for Health Promotion Research, Halmstad University, Halmstad and Department of Primary Health Care, Göteborg University, Göteborg

Postaddress

Box 823

City

SE-302 18 Halmstad

Country

Sweden

E-mail

Margareta.von_Bothmer@ihv.hh.se

Phone

+ 46 35 17 74 19

Fax

+ 46 35 18 75 80