Factors Protective Against Smoking

What is it about?

Almost all habitual tobacco users who smoke cigarettes begin prior to 27 years of age. Salutogenic theory indicates that attitudinal factors play a role in health-seeking behavior. Which such factors may be protective against initiation of youth smoking? An integrative review of recent research suggests there are several attitudinal factors that, if adopted by today's youth, may contribute to the emergence of a future generation of non-smokers.

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Why is it important?

In the fight to minimize and eliminate health detriments related to cigarette smoking, there has yet been minimal focus on attitudinal factors of influence. A far greater weight of evidence has been accumulated regarding factors over which control is difficult, such as community norms and parental involvement. This article acknowleges the possibility that interventions may be initiated at a very early age to encourage development of attitudinal factors protective against youth smoking.