title: Smoking among young children in Hong Kong: influence of parental smoking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study comparing children with smoking parents and those with non-smoking parents, in terms of knowledge and attitude towards smoking and the influence of parents and peers on smoking initiation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Adolescence is a developmental stage when smoking habits are likely to start. Adolescents are most influenced by the smoking habits of their parents and friends.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-section study was conducted with students aged 13-15 years in two schools in 2008, using a questionnaire that collected information on the smoking habits of their parents and peers, knowledge and attitude towards smoking, initiation and inclination towards smoking. Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 257 of 575 (44·7%) students had smoking parent(s), and 25·4% reported having peers who smoked. Children with non-smoking parents were more likely than those with smoking parents to consider 'smoking as disgusting' (67·3% vs. 45·9%), and to know that 'smoking is addictive' (80·5% vs. 70·4%) and 'harmful to health' (81·8% vs. 67·7%). More of those with smoking parents had tried smoking than those with non-smoking parents (13·2% vs. 3·8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preventive programmes should involve smoking parents to increase their awareness of the impact their smoking has on their children. Interventions should include problem-solving skills for children to deal with daily stresses and thus eradicate the potential risk of smoking initiation.
authors: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. hsaloke@polyu.edu.hk
authors: Alice Yuen
authors: AY
authors: Loke
authors: Yuen Ping Ivy
authors: YP
authors: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010290:Parents; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult