Correlates of ever-smoking habit among adolescents in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional questionnaire study of the correlates of ever-smoking among adolescents was made in Tabuk government schools in Saudi Arabia. Of 1505 students aged 12-19 years, 657 [43.7%] were ever-smokers [i.e. ever tried cigarette smoking, even 1 or 2 puffs]; 65.0% of males and 23.1% of females. In logistic regression analysis significant predictors for ever-smoking were male sex, belief that smoking helps people feel comfortable in social situations, owning something with a cigarette logo, having pocket money >/= 20 riyals/day, poor school performance and having friends or parents who smoked