Smoking is considered the single, primary cause of preventable, premature death in the United States. Unfortunately, many programs designed to decrease youth smoking have been unsuccessful. Intervention programs have found minimal effect sizes, and some have even resulted in smoking increases. Because youth smoking continues to be a public health issue, and has even increased in some subpopulations, this paper suggests an alternative to traditional interventions. One area of smoking prevention that has received little attention is attempting to delay onset of tobacco use as long as possible. Delay of tobacco use warrants examination for three specific reasons. First, one of the main predictors of youth tobacco use is previous use, second, evidence shows that the earlier one starts smoking the more one will smoke as an adult, and third, individuals who try tobacco at later ages are more likely to experiment less, and less likely to become regular smokers. This paper advocates the use of Bandura’s self-efficacy theory as a possible means to increase the age at which children first try tobacco. A theoretic framework addressing the problem is proposed, current literature examining smoking and youth reviewed, hypotheses and study design presented, and methods and analyses are discussed.
Learning Objectives: Participants will learn how Self-Efficacy Theory can be used as a theoretical basis for delaying smoking behavior
Keywords: Tobacco, Smoking
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.