PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of smoking behavior among elementary students which may serve as basic data for developing a smoking prevention program.
METHOD: Questionnaires were given to 734 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in five elementary schools in U county, North Chungcheong Province. Data were collected from 8 to 20 December, 2003; and analyzed using SPSS/PC for descriptive and chi-square statistics.
RESULTS: Of these students, 19.9% reported that they had smoked and 0.8% answered they are current smokers. They reported that the first smoking started during third grade (26.0%), at their homes (38.4%), and out of curiosity (74.0%). They reported severe coughing when they first smoked (56.2%). Smoking experiences were significantly related to grade, gender, and academic performance. Similarly, environmental characteristics such as residential area, parental status, father´s job, parental attention, home atmosphere, and smoking siblings or friends were significantly related to smoking behavior. Among non-smokers, 86.4% intended not to smoke and 1.4% would like to smoke in the future.
CONCLUSION: Certain school and environmental characteristics were associated with smoking experimentation. Therefore teachers and parents should use this information to develop and guide smoking prevention programs.
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