5.18 Uptake—a concluding note

Show / hide chapter menu

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Stages in the uptake of smoking

5.3 Factors influencing uptake by young people—overview

5.4 Physiological aspects

5.5 Individual personality traits and psychiatric influences

5.6 Intentions, attitudes and beliefs

5.7 The home environment

5.8 The smoking behaviour of peers, and peer attitudes and norms

5.9 The educational environment: achievements, aspirations and 'school connectedness'

5.10 Other drug use

5.11 Accessibility of tobacco products to young smokers

5.12 Affordability of tobacco products

5.13 Opportunity to smoke

5.14 Cultural background

5.15 Tobacco advertising and promotion targeted at young people

5.16 Products and packaging created to appeal to new users

5.17 Factors influencing uptake of smoking later in life

5.18 Uptake—a concluding note

5.19 What is meant by prevention?

5.20 Approaches to youth smoking prevention

5.21 Mass media strategies/campaigns

5.22 Interactive technology and multimedia

5.23 School-based interventions

5.24 Peer influence and education

5.25 Parent/family/home targeted interventions

5.26 Reducing tobacco access and supply

5.27 Reducing product appeal

5.28 Promotion and visibility of tobacco

5.29 Denormalising smoking

5.30 Taxation and pricing of tobacco products

5.31 Harnessing predictors of uptake to prevent smoking

5.32 Preventing smoking in more 'at risk' groups

Acknowledgments

References

The preceding sections provide a framework for understanding the many and varied factors that influence an individual's decision to try smoking. Individual variables such as personal physiology and personality traits interact with the family environment, social milieu and broader societal expectations and contexts. The strength of influence of each determinant can be expected to fluctuate in importance, depending on individual trajectory of age and life experience. It is within the context of this complex cultural mix that children make decisions. With this in mind, further research is warranted focusing on the interactions of factors influencing smoking initiation. Better understanding of the factors that underlie uptake, and being able to identify those that may be amenable to change, is essential for informing youth smoking intervention.

The following sections examine some of the ways in which programs for intervention have been developed and discuss their efficacy.