Beliefs Related to Cigarette Smoking among Irish College Students

Abstract

Beliefs related to cigarette smoking were investigated in a college student sample. Regular smokers, compared with nonsmokers and occasional smokers, perceived more approval for their smoking and believed that their peers smoked more frequently. They perceived positive social and physiological consequences of smoking (e.g., feel more relaxed) to be more likely, and negative consequences (e.g., feel sick) to be less likely. While they did not see long-term health consequences (e.g., increasing chances of cancer) as less likely, they evaluated them less negatively. Finally, smokers placed less importance on the value health than did nonsmokers or occasional smokers. These findings suggest that intervention programs aimed at discouraging smoking by young people should be multifaceted.