Predictors of adolescent cigarette smoking behavior: A sociological case study in Ankara, Turkey

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss important predictors of adolescent cigarette smoking behavior, such as their sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, socioeconomic status, mother's and father's educational level, and school type), health-promoting behavior (healthy nutrition, physical activities), risk behavior (cigarette smoking and alcohol use), school achievement, life satisfaction, future expectations, smoking patterns in the family, and school environment. This study is a part of a larger comparative youth research where 3 10 questionnaires were applied to students in grade 11 in Yenimahalle district in Ankara, Turkey, with characteristics of mean years of age = 16.99; st.d: 0.78; minimum 15 and maximum 20 years of age and 41.1% male and 51.9% female. Of the students in grade 11, 29.9% were smoking and it was reported that 14.0% had smoked often, 7.1% sometimes, 8.8% rarely, and 70.1% had never smoked. Age (19-20 older age group), gender (being male), and alcohol use were the most important predictors of adolescent smoking behavior. Prevention implications and recommendations are also discussed.