Cigarette Smoking Experimentation Among Rural Fifth Grade Students    

Robert F. Valois, PhD, MPH;  Marsha Dowda, MSPH; Stewart Trost, MS, MPH; Martin Weinrich, PhD;  Gwen Felton, RN, PhD; Russell R. Pate, PhD 

Objective: To study smoking experimentation among 374 rural fifth grade students. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was utilized. Results: 26% of males and 16% of females had tried cigarette smoking. In regard to race, 25.2% of whites had tried cigarette smoking compared to 19.6% for blacks. For males, correlates of smoking included greater age, best friend who smokes and having tried alcohol. For females, race (whites>blacks), greater age, father (adult male) who smokes and having tried alcohol were significant correlates of smoking experimentation. Conclusion: Primary prevention efforts for rural preadolescents should begin prior to fifth grade.

Am J Health Behav 1998;22(2):101-107