Parents' Attitudes Crucial in Preventing Teenagers from Smoking

Strategic Insights -

Parents' positive attitudes and interventions have a profound impact on their children's likelihood of starting to smoke. A Swedish study published in the open access journal BMC Public Health found that adolescents respond positively to their parents' efforts to dissuade them from smoking. The research, conducted by Maria Nilsson's team at Umea University, utilized data from three national surveys conducted by The National Board for Health and Welfare and The Swedish National Institute of Public Health in 1987, 1994, and 2003.

Key Takeaways:

  • Teenagers are more positive towards their parents' attempts to discourage them from smoking than in the past.
  • Dissuading children from smoking, not smoking oneself, and not allowing smoking at home are the most effective actions parents can take.
  • Younger children are more positive about these approaches than older children.
  • The prevalence of smoking in adolescents in Sweden has fallen, with 8% smoking in 1987 and 1994, and halving to 4% in 2003.
  • Use of snus, a type of moist snuff, remained relatively constant at around 5% in each survey year.
  • Older children are more likely to smoke or use snus than younger children.
  • Parents' positive attitudes are crucial in preventing teenagers from starting to smoke.

Statistics:

  • 8% of teenagers smoked in 1987 and 1994
  • 4% of teenagers smoked in 2003
  • 1500 adolescents in each age group (13, 15, and 17 years old) were surveyed in each survey year
  • Total of 13500 adolescents surveyed across the three surveys
  • 5% of teenagers used snus in each survey year

Sources:

  • Nilsson, M. et al. (no date provided) - study published in 2009
  • "Parents should be encouraged to intervene with respect to their children's tobacco use" - Maria Nilsson
  • BMC Public Health - open access journal
  • The National Board for Health and Welfare - conducted national surveys
  • The Swedish National Institute of Public Health - conducted national surveys
  • Drug Week, 2009, via NewsRx.com - article summary and analysis