[Tobacco dependency and adolescents: a good time to give up smoking? Relation to social and family factors].
OBJECTIVE
To find the prevalence and dependency of adolescents on tobacco, its relation with family and social factors and the motivation for giving up smoking.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study using questionnaires.


METHODS
Secondary school, Jaén, Spain.


METHODS
A total of 232 students: the questionnaire included questions on age, sex, tobacco consumption, smoking habits of family and friends, and family structure. The following tests were given: the Apgar family (AFT), Fagerström (FT), and Richmond (RT) tests.


RESULTS
Mean age 14.1 years old (95% CI, 13.9-14.3; range, 5 years); 57% boys. A 22% (17.1%-24.5%) were smokers, most of whom were boys (65.2%-86.7%; P<.001, *2) and were older than non-smokers (0.7-1.5; P<.001, Student's t). Mean consumption was 9.2 cigarettes a day (7.4-11.0) over 32 months (14.6-49.5). Friends who smoked were more frequent among adolescents who smoked (80.9%-99%) than among non-smokers (57.3%-70.6%; P<.001, *2). Smoking every day increased consumption by 6 cigarettes a day (3.6-9.2; P<.001, Student's t). In 71% (65.3%-76.6%) of families, there were smokers, principally the parents (63.3%-74.6%), who, in 85% (74.2%-95.8%) of cases, disapproved of their son/daughter smoking. Family dysfunction was more frequent in smokers (30% mild [16.1%-43.9%] and 17% severe [5.4%-28.6%]; P<.001, *2). The FT was positive for 12% (2%-22%) and was associated with the consumption of cigarettes per day (r=0.78; P<.05, Pearson). The RT was positive for 22% (15.1%-28.9%): 70% in the contemplation stage (55.6%-84.3%); 17% in preparation (5.4%-28.6%); 13% in action (3%-23%).


CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of tobacco among adolescents is related to family function and having friends who smoke. The low dependency and the motivation to change make this stage of life a good moment to concentrate on anti-smoking counselling.
Pérez-Milena
A
A
Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, Centro de Atención Primaria de Jimena, Jaén, España. alejandropm@supercable.es
Martínez-Fernández
M L
ML
Pérez-Milena
R
R
Jiménez-Pulido
I
I
Leal-Helmling
F J
FJ
Mesa-Gallardo
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012961:Sociology