The purpose of this thesis was to gain insight into why female college students
initiate smoking. This study examined the major factors influencing the formation of
such habit among this group. The tool used to study these factors was the questionnaire.
Questionnaires were administered to randomly selected female students on the
Oregon State University (OSU) campus. The Memorial Union and campus library were
the only locations where these questionnaires were administered.
Results of the study suggested that peers and curiosity were paramount in
influencing smokers to initiate smoking. The results also indicated that, with the
exceptions of curiosity and the belief that smoking was "adult", there were no differences
between early and late initiators in the extent to which the factors under examination
influenced them to start smoking. Both curiosity and the belief that smoking was "adult"
had greater influence on early initiators to smoke their first cigarettes than they did with
late initiators. Lastly, college-related stress was found to increase the daily level of
smoking among smokers.
For non-smokers, health concern and odor were factors that influenced them greatly to
remain smoke-free.
Overall, the findings suggested that prevention efforts should focus on strategies that
reduce the acceptability of smoking in the social environment. / Graduation date: 1999
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33620 |
| Date | 28 April 1999 |
| Creators | Huynh, Cuong Van |
| Contributors | Rossignol, Annette M. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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