Do as I say, not as I do: Father smoking habits and the effects of lectures by parents on adolescent boys' smoking rates and susceptibility in Egypt

Background. The fathers of adolescent boys can have a strong impact on the behavior and lifestyle choices of their sons. Many fathers attempt to instill proper conduct in their offspring through lessons and lectures, yet sometimes what they say and how they act are different. This study examines the relationship between fathers' smoking habits and if they lectured their children on the dangers of smoking, and the effect this has on adolescent boys' current smoking habits (past 30 days use) or susceptibility to begin smoking (composite of openness to accepting a cigarette and intention to start smoking in the next year) in Egypt. Methods. Adolescent male data (n=1952) obtained from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey was utilized (Egypt, 2005). Father smoking (current smoker, former smoker, never smoker), warnings about the harmful effects of cigarettes, and boys' smoking rates and susceptibility to initiation were analyzed. A weighted logistic regression analysis was conducted (Stata 10.0). Results. Fathers' current smoking (t(27)= 2.82, p <.009) was significantly related to boys' smoking rates, as well as susceptibility to initiation (t(27)= 1.23, p <.043). Whether or not the father warned the child about the dangers of smoking was not significant, nor was the interaction between fathers' smoking habits and whether the child was warned. Discussion. Since fathers actions have a significant impact on adolescent boys' actions, it would be wise to also target the fathers of the at risk adolescents for interventions. This study shows that boys do as they see, not as they hear.