Smoking areas on school grounds: Are we encouraging teenagers to smoke?

doi:10.1016/S0197-0070(84)80010-8

Journal of Adolescent Health Care

Volume 5, Issue 2, April 1984, Pages 117-119

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0197-0070(84)80010-8 Get rights and content

In the United States, smoking has been identified as a major health hazard for the past 20 years. This study attempts to determine the relationship between the availability of a smoking area on school grounds, the incidence of smoking among teenagers, and the number of cigarettes smoked per day by the teenagers. A questionnaire was administered to the target population and a matched control group at two suburban high schools, similar in size and socioeconomic status. One of the two schools provided a smoking area for students. The findings suggest a possible relationship between providing a smoking area for students and an increase in the number of teenage smokers. The findings also indicate a possible decrease in teenage, male smokers. Our findings should prompt health professionals, educators, and parents to ask, “Are we encouraging our teenagers to smoke?”

References (6)

United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (Public Health Service)
Smoking and health: A report of the surgeon general
United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (National Cancer Institute)
The smoking digest
United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (National Institute of Health)
A study about cigarette smoking among young women and teenage girls
DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 77-1203
(1976)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

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Surveys of 9,762 students in grades 8–10 and 1,586 parents in 15 Minnesota communities asked about the frequency of and opinions of adult and youth smoking in various indoor and outdoor public places. Chi-square analysis and ANOVAs compared smokers and nonsmokers.
More smoking than nonsmoking youth reported often seeing adults and teens smoking in all locations. Forty-two percent of students often noticed adults and 35% often noticed teens smoking outdoors, also the most frequent location where teens report smoking. Students perceived adult and teen smoking as more acceptable in restaurants, recreation centers, and outdoor gathering places. More student smokers than nonsmokers believe that smoking is acceptable for both adults and teens. Of the parent sample, 52% often observed adults and 36% often observed youth smoking outdoors. Nonsmoking parents observed adult and teen smoking more often than parents who smoke.
The data support an association between the frequency that youth observe smoking in various locations and the perception that smoking is socially acceptable by smoking status. Policies that restrict smoking in various locations will reduce both visibility and perceived acceptability of smoking in those locations.
Factors influencing implementation of the legislated smoking ban on school property in Ontario
1999, Preventive Medicine
Background. Implementation of legislation in Ontario, Canada, that banned smoking on school property gave rise to perceptions of problems in some schools. A telephone survey was conducted to assess these problems. This analysis identifies risk or protective factors in the school environment associated with administrators' reports of problems.
Methods. Survey data were obtained from key informants in 213 high schools. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify school-related characteristics associated with: (1) major problems in implementing the ban and (2) recommendations that schools return to designated smoking areas.
Results. A protective factor against both outcomes was having a school no-smoking policy prior to the ban. Also protective against major problems was a perceived decrease in student smoking during the school day. The identification of safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke was a strong risk factor for both outcomes. Beliefs that the ban was not effective and opposition to it from teachers/staff were associated with desires for its repeal.
Conclusions. In implementing legislated school smoking bans, attention should be given to informing teachers and gaining their support. Strategies for dealing with potential safety risks to students who leave school property to smoke should also be devised.
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Brief Scientific ReportSmoking areas on school grounds: Are we encouraging teenagers to smoke?

Smoking and health: A report of the surgeon general

The smoking digest

A study about cigarette smoking among young women and teenage girls

DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 77-1203

Brief Scientific Report
Smoking areas on school grounds: Are we encouraging teenagers to smoke?