Attitudes toward smoking in 7- to 9-year-old children.

This study reports the results of a survey on smoking of 214 children aged 7 to 9 years and 182 children aged 15 to 17 years. It was found that 27.1% of the younger group and 79.5% of the older group had tried to smoke a cigarette (even if just a few puffs). The frequency of continued smoking, as expected, was much greater for the older group, with 55.1% of older smokers compared to 0.9% of younger smokers having puffed during the last 4 weeks. The attitudes of subjects to smoking were generally negative although smokers' attitudes were more positive. The effects of parental smoking habits and attitudes on the subject's decision to smoke were considered and seen to be significant. The need for a health education program aimed at the young who have not established a smoking pattern is suggested.