Smoking and associated factors among young Swedish females

Objective - To analyse the smoking habits of young females and various associated factors. Design - Cross-sectional population study; questionnaire with fixed-response options. Setting - Upper secondary schools in the municipalities of Ludvika and Smedjebacken in central Sweden. Subjects - 524 girls aged 16-19; response rate 85%. Main outcome measures - Social smoking, daily smoking, heavy smoking. Results - The following causes of social smoking among 16-17-year-old girls were identified: a dismissive attitude to the danger of smoking, maternal smoking, and being sexually experienced. A dismissive attitude to smoking and maternal smoking were the corresponding causes among 18-19-year-olds. A practical school curriculum, lack of interest in sports, smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a desire for weight control were the causes of daily smoking among 16-17-year-olds. Smoking by one's best friend, maternal smoking, and a dismissive attitude to smoking were the corresponding causes among 18-19-year-olds. Conclusions - The most important cause of social smoking among female 16-19-year-olds was a dismissive attitude to the dangers of smoking. The causes of daily smoking and heavy smoking were more complex, particularly among 16-17-year-olds, and included various social characteristics and habits of the respondents.