Susceptibility to smoking and determinants among never-smoking high school students in Thailand

Abstract

INTRODUCTION To prevent youth from becoming smokers, it is essential to understand factors contributing to them becoming susceptible to smoking. The aim of this study was thus to estimate the prevalence of smoking susceptibility among neversmoking youth in Thailand and to identify determinants associated with such behavior. METHODS Cross-sectional data for 4572 eighth-grade students (aged 13-15 years) from 120 secondary schools were obtained from a classroom-based survey using a self-administered questionnaire. Using data from never-smoking students (n=3180), simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with smoking susceptibility. Frequencies and proportions for descriptive statistics are reported along with adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for logistic regression models. RESULTS A total of 16.4% of Thai never-smoking youth were susceptible to smoking. Several variables of interest were identified in multivariable analysis as significantly associated with increased susceptibility to smoking: being male (AOR=3.16; 95% CI: 25.4-3.92), having a positive attitude toward smoking -agreeing that smoking displays maturity (AOR=1.49; 95% CI: 1.07-2.09), the perception that smoking helps relieve stress (AOR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.14-2.15), the presence of current smoking peers (AOR=2.04; 95% CI: 1.57-2.66), exposure to secondhand smoking in public (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.17-1.94), exposure to online cigarette and smoking-related advertising occasionally (AOR=1.98; 95% CI: 1.49-2.65), attendance at schools where there are sometimes anti-smoking education activities (AOR=1.57; 95% CI: 1.18-2.07); as well as exposure to anti-tobacco messages rarely (AOR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.05-1.87), occasionally (AOR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.12-1.96) and infrequently (AOR=1.41; 95% CI: 1.07-1.87). CONCLUSIONS Approximately one in six Thai never-smoking youth was found to be susceptible to smoking. Findings suggest it should be useful to supplement relevant tobacco prevention and control efforts by considering such interpersonal and socio-environmental determinants, among vulnerable people to smoke.

Correlates of susceptibility to tobacco use among never-smoking youth in four eastern and southern European countries

“…In all four analyzed countries, exposure to SHS in public places was associated with increased susceptibility to smoking among adolescent non-smokers, which is in line with other studies [35,[46][47][48][49]. This indicates a need to create smoke-free public places.…”

“…Similarly, in Latvia and Montenegro, adolescents whose peers are smokers were more likely to start smoking. This is confirmed by studies conducted in other countries [35,46,52,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. A desire for peer acceptance and the sense of belonging to a group can also influence smoking habits [64,65].…”

Perception of e-cigarette control policies and education in schools on increased legal knowledge, harm perception, susceptibility and e-cigarette use among students in Thailand: A cross-sectional classroom-based survey

“…With the rise of e-cigarettes among Thai youth, the Ministry of Education recommended that schools expand their smoke-free initiatives to include e-cigarette prevention 31 . Previous school-based surveys in Thailand found the prevalence of current e-cigarette use ranged from 3.3% to 3.7% 32 , 33 , with a higher prevalence among boys (5.5%) than girls (1.3%). However, the prevalence of ever using e-cigarettes among Thai teenagers has increased to 7.2% 29 .…”

Kerentanan Remaja Untuk Merokok dan Determinannya berdasarkan Survei Remaja Skala Nasional

“…Laki-laki memiliki odds kerentanan yang lebih tinggi dibandingkan Perempuan. Hasil yang sama juga diamati dari hasil penelitian di Thailand yang mengungkapkan hal yang serupa (12). Oleh sebab kerentanan terhadap merokok adalah tahapan pertama yang dapat mendekatkan remaja ke perilaku merokok, maka temuan ini juga sejalan dengan hasil survei-survei yang menjelaskan bahwa proporsi laki-laki di Indonesia yang merokok lebih banyak dibandingkan perempuan (13).…”