Age-Related Smoking Progression among Adolescents in China

Authors

C. Anderson Johnson, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Wei Sun, University of Southern California
Valentina A. Andreeva, University of Southern California
Jennifer B. Unger, University of Southern California
David V. Conti, University of Southern California
Chih-Ping Chou, University of Southern California
Paula Palmer, Claremont Graduate UniversityFollow
Ping Sun, University of Southern California

Document Type

Article

Department

Community and Global Health (CGU)

Publication Date

11-2006

Disciplines

Developmental Psychology | Health Psychology | Mental and Social Health | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined the differences in smoking progression between middle and upper school students.

Methods

The China Seven Cities Study (CSCS) is a longitudinal cohort study. The current sample consists of subjects with both baseline and one-year follow-up measures collected between October 2002 and December 2003. There were 4842 students from 62 middle schools and 5806 students from 83 upper schools. Multilevel random-coefficient modeling techniques were applied.

Results

Among male never or lifetime ever smokers, middle school students were susceptible to transitioning more rapidly than upper school students (never - RR: 1.272, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .985–1.642; lifetime ever - RR: 1.497, 95% CI: .979–2.290). Among female lifetime ever smokers, middle school students were more likely to progress than upper school students (RR: 1.353, 95% CI: 1.038–1.763).

Conclusion

This longitudinal study is the first to explore differences in smoking progression among adolescents in China. The results revealed that over a one-year interval, there was greater progression across smoking trajectories during early adolescence (corresponding to middle school) than later adolescence (upper school). This is consistent with the neurological development hypothesis, but does not rule out alternative explanations. These findings are important to consider relative to the content and timing of prevention interventions in China where smoking rates approach 70% in adult males and are increasing rapidly in women.

Rights Information

© 2006 Society for Adolescent Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc.

DOI

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.04.023

Recommended Citation

Sun, W., Andreeva, A.V., Unger, B.J., Conti, V.D., Chou, C-P., Palmer, H.P., Sun, P., & Johnson, C.A. Age-related smoking progression among adolescents in China. J Adolesc Health, 39(5), 686-693, 2006.