Parental conversations in an African-American community: Effect on attitudes toward tobacco use

Background: Research has shown that talking to kids about tobacco and drugs may positively influence their decision to engage in smoking or drug use, particularly their willingness to try smoking cigarettes. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between having parental conversations with children about tobacco use and its impact on their attitudes toward smoking.

Methods: Data were collected via paper-and-pencil survey from high school students in a large southeastern city in the U.S. (N=3128). 77 percent of the sample were African-American and are the focus of the current study.

Results: Approximately 67% of respondents stated that at least one parent had spoken to them about the dangers of tobacco use. Respondents who had at least one parent talk to them about the dangers of tobacco use were more likely to think that smoking is dangerous to their health (p<.001), occasional smoking causes harm (p<.001), cigarette smoking is highly addictive (p<.001), secondhand smoke is harmful to them (p=.006), and smoking only for a year or two is unsafe (p=.006). These respondents also were more likely to have smoking restrictions in the home (p<.001) and report not smoking cigarettes daily (p=.008).

Conclusion: The association between parental discussions about smoking and adolescent attitudes toward smoking suggests that parental influence indeed affects adolescent beliefs and behaviors. As culturally sensitive tobacco education programs continue to be developed, interventionists should consider the influence of parents on adolescent attitudes toward risk behavior.