title: Sociodemographic characteristics of adolescent smokers.
abstract: In this study we examined the interdependence of a broad range of sociodemographic characteristics in a large sample of 15-year-old smokers and nonsmokers. The most prominent risk factors for smoking included the father figure not being the natural father, low family SES, and the young person having a recent part-time job. In particular, the number of adverse sociodemographic conditions present was associated with an increased likelihood of daily smoking at ages 15 and 18. It is estimated that over a 1-year period the cost of cigarettes consumed by 15-year-olds alone is NZ$4.6 million. Use of sociodemographic characteristics to target adolescents at risk of becoming smokers is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Research Centre, University of Queensland Medical School, Herston, Australia.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Oei
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D004651:Employment; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012923:Social Class; D012924:Social Conditions