Evaluation of cigarette smoking among adolescents: The Muscatine study

Abstract

In Muscatine, Iowa, the smoking behaviors and related factors were studied in 2,156 school children ages 12 through 18 years. Data were collected through a questionnaire, a “randomized question response,” and by saliva thiocyanate analyses. The proportion reporting smoking on the confidential questionnaire and the anonymous randomized question response were not significantly different. Those reporting the greatest frequency of smoking had the highest levels of saliva thiocyanate. No difference in self-reported smoking was observed in subjects who, prior to completing the questionnaire, were told their saliva would be analyzed for tobacco products and those who were not. These data suggest that children under certain circumstances may honestly and validly complete a questionnaire about their smoking behavior. Of respondents who report both parents as nonsmokers and whose best friends are nonsmokers, 80% have never smoked, and 3% are regular smokers. Of those with both parents and best friends who smoke, only 11% have never smoked and 74% are frequent smokers. Thus the smoking behaviors of parents and peers are important factors relating to children's smoking and nonsmoking decisions.