Cross-cultural study of samples of adolescents' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors related to smoking.

This study examined the smoking behavior, knowledge, and attitudes of 413 students in Grades 7 and 8 in the United States and 393 such students in the People's Republic of China. A survey questionnaire developed by Pederson and Lefcoe was adapted and then translated into Mandarin. There were statistically significant differences between the students of the two countries in knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to smoking. Families played an important role in relation to smoking among this age group.