The social context of smoking among African-American and white adolescents in Baltimore City

Ethn Health. 2001 Aug-Nov;6(3-4):211-25. doi: 10.1080/13557850120078134.

Abstract

Objective: To describe and understand variations in social influences on smoking behavior among African-American and white male and female adolescents in Baltimore City, USA.

Design: A qualitative study where adolescents, both smokers and non-smokers, were interviewed individually (n = 21) and participated in focus groups (n = 18 focus groups, 3-10 participants per group).

Results: Social contexts emerged as most relevant and salient themes related to smoking behavior. White females perceived the most permissive parental messages around smoking, while males, especially African-American males, reported receiving the strictest parental sanctions. Females' need to fit in with peers contrasted with males' being coerced to smoke. Possible reasons for African-Americans' non-use of cigarettes include a desire not to disrespect parents and being turned off by parental addiction to nicotine. All adolescents cited the school's lax anti-smoking policy as a reason teens smoke at school.

Conclusion: Interventions targeted at schools and families offer promise for reducing adolescent cigarette use.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Baltimore
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Parenting / ethnology
  • Peer Group
  • Sexual Behavior / ethnology
  • Smoking / ethnology*
  • Smoking Prevention
  • Social Environment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population
  • White People / psychology*