title: Smoking patterns, attitudes and motives: unique characteristics among 2-year versus 4-year college students.
abstract: Given the previously documented higher rates of smoking among 2-year college students in comparison with 4-year university students, this study compares smoking patterns, attitudes and motives among 2-year and 4-year college students. Two thousand two hundred and sixty-five undergraduate students aged 18-25 years at a 2-year college and a 4-year university completed an online survey in 2008. Current (past 30-day) smoking was reported by 43.5% of 2-year and 31.9% of 4-year college students, and daily smoking was reported by 19.9% of 2-year and 8.3% of 4-year college students. Attending a 2-year college was associated with higher rates of current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 1.72] and daily smoking (OR = 2.84), and with less negative attitudes regarding smoking, controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and parental education. Also, compared with 4-year college student smokers, 2-year college smokers had lower motivation to smoke for social reasons, but more motivation to smoke for affect regulation, after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and parental education. Two- and 4-year college students report different smoking patterns, attitudes and motives. These distinctions might inform tobacco control messages and interventions targeting these groups of young adults.
authors: Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. cjberg@emory.edu
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: Berg
authors: L C
authors: LC
authors: An
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Thomas
authors: K A
authors: KA
authors: Lust
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Sanem
authors: D W
authors: DW
authors: Swan
authors: J S
authors: JS
authors: Ahluwalia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult