Individual, Social and Environmental Correlates of Youth Smoking Cessation

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examines data from the 2008-2009 Youth Smoking Survey among never, current and former smoking grade 9-12 students using logistic regression. Path analysis examining correlates of former from current smoking was conducted for females and males. Former smokers represent a distinct, often intermediary, group of students between current and never smokers. Former smokers have similarities with current smokers on individual factors but more closely resemble never smokers on social and environmental factors. Among females, social factors were most influential; whereas environmental and individual factors played more of a role in male smoking cessation. These results further describe youth who quit smoking. The strong effects from social factors suggest the importance of family and peer support for quitting. These findings inform the development of youth cessation programming by providing a target profile and highlighting areas for intervention focus.