Are the correlates of cigarette smoking initiation different for black and white adolescents?
BACKGROUND
Studies of adolescent smoking suggest that the causes of smoking initiation may differ for Blacks and Whites.


METHODS
Correlates of smoking initiation were examined among 1,277 nonsmokers, ages 12-14, who completed questionnaires in their homes. The analyses examined relationships between smoking initiation and 11 explanatory variables using logistic regression with the combined sample and with Black and White samples.


RESULTS
Over two years, 24 percent of Whites and 14 percent of Blacks started to smoke. Whites were more likely to start smoking at age 12 and Blacks at age 14. Having a best friend who smoked increased the odds of initiating smoking over twofold for Whites but had no effect on the odds of smoking for Blacks.


CONCLUSIONS
Whites initiate smoking earlier than Blacks and are more likely to be influenced by friend behavior.
Headen
S W
SW
Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7400.
Bauman
K E
KE
Deane
G D
GD
Koch
G G
GG
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012067:Religion; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015144:Southeastern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data