ADULTS ACCOUNTS OF ONSET OF REGULAR SMOKING - INFLUENCES OF SCHOOL, WORK, AND OTHER SETTINGS

Abstract

A representative population sample of 546 adults in Victoria, Australia, who had ever smoked were asked to describe the general setting where they first took up regular smoking and who, if anyone, influenced them to begin. Although school was the dominant setting (35 percent), particularly for younger respondents 20-34 years (55 percent), the workplace was also an important setting for uptake of regular smoking. Overall, 34 percent reported taking up smoking while in a job. The probability of taking up smoking at work increased with age but, even among younger respondents, many did not begin smoking until they started work. Fourteen percent took it up between leaving school and commencing co..