Impact of home smoking rules on smoking patterns among adolescents and young adults.
BACKGROUND
Smoking restrictions in public places have been shown to reduce cigarette consumption and may reduce smoking prevalence. Evidence is emerging that smoke-free policies in nonpublic places may have a similar effect. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an association exists between household smoking rules and smoking patterns among adolescents (aged 15 to 18 years) and young adults (aged 19 to 24 years) living in parental homes (i.e., the homes of their parents, grandparents, or foster parents).


METHODS
Cross-sectional data from the 1998-1999 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey were analyzed for the association between household smoking rules and smoking behaviors among adolescents and young adults. We used a probability sample of noninstitutionalized adolescents (aged 15 to 18 years) and young adults (aged 19 to 24 years) living in the United States and assessed smoking status, attempts to quit, and smoking intensity.


RESULTS
After controlling for smoking status of others in the household, the odds of ever having smoked, being a current smoker, and smoking more than five cigarettes per day were significantly smaller in households with strict no-smoking policies than in households where smoking was permitted anywhere. These results were relevant for adolescents and young adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Household smoking rules are a type of antitobacco socialization that help deter adolescents from smoking. The influence of household smoking rules seems to extend beyond adolescence into the young adult years among people who continue to live at home with their parents, grandparents, or foster parents.
Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation, 6115 Falls Rd, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21209, USA. clarkp@battelle.org
Pamela I
PI
Clark
Michael W
MW
Schooley
Bennett
B
Pierce
Jane
J
Schulman
Anne M
AM
Hartman
Carol L
CL
Schmitt
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology