Smoking and associated factors among young Swedish females

Abstract

Objective — To analyse the smoking habits of young females and various associated factors.

Design — Cross-sectional population study; questionnaire with fixed-response options.

Setting — Upper secondary schools in the municipalities of Ludvika and Smed jebacken in central Sweden.

Subjects — 524 girls aged 16–19; response rate 85%.

Main outcome measures — Social smoking, daily smoking, heavy smoking.

Results — The following causes of social smoking among 16–17-year-old girls were identified: a dismissive attitude to the danger of smoking, maternal smoking, and being sexually experienced. A dismissive attitude to smoking and maternal smoking were the corresponding causes among 18–19-year-olds. A practical school curriculum, lack of interest in sports, smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a desire for weight control were the causes of daily smoking among 16–17-year-olds. Smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a dismissive attitude to smoking were the corresponding causes among 18–19-year-olds.

Conclusions — The most important cause of social smoking among female 16–19-year-olds was a dismissive attitude to the dangers of smoking. The causes of daily smoking and heavy smoking were more complex, particularly among 16—17-year-olds, and included various social characteristics and habits of the respondents.

Key Words:

• females
• adolescents
• smoking
• social smoking
• daily smoking
• heavy smoking