Age-related differences in factors associated with cigarette smoking among Italian high school students

Barra et al.
Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death and morbidity in the world. Even with the vast body of information now available regarding the adverse effects of smoking and the efforts to encourage young people not to start, cigarette smoking continues to appeal to millions of teenagers worldwide; in fact, most smokers take up their behavior during adolescence.

Understanding adolescents' knowledge and attitude regarding tobacco is essential to prevent its use. Owing to the multifaceted nature of cigarette smoking initiation and development, several factors - personal, sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental - are involved.

Adolescence is often considered as a whole; on the contrary, it constitutes a continuously challenging life stage characterized by developmental changes: physical (sexual) maturation, transition to adult roles and responsibilities and recognition of self and of values driving future behavior. Studies demonstrate that these transition years are a 'high-risk time' for smoking initiation and progression, through a sequence of phases, from the preparatory stage to regular use and addiction.

Observations suggest that different factors, even within these few years, may be associated with different stages of smoking behavior. The aim of this cross-sectional study among Italian high school students was to test the hypothesis that risk factors for smoking behavior could differ in early vs. late adolescence.

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