Does allowing adolescents to smoke at home affect their consumption and dependence?

Addict Behav. 2008 Jun;33(6):836-40. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2008.01.006. Epub 2008 Jan 26.

Abstract

Negative parental attitudes towards smoking decrease adolescent smoking initiation but limited research explores the relationship between parental attitudes and degree of adolescent smoking among established smokers. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parental allowance of smoking in the home and adolescent smoking behavior and level of dependence. Interviews from 408 youths seeking assistance to quit smoking showed that adolescents who were allowed to smoke at home smoked more cigarettes per day and had higher scores on the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence than those not allowed to smoke at home. Studies that additionally evaluate parental smoking status and the temporal relationship of parental allowance of smoking with changes in adolescent smoking behavior are warranted to clarify public health implications of parental smoking interdictions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior*
  • Attitude
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Parent-Child Relations*
  • Psychology, Adolescent*
  • Smoking / psychology*
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology*