MATERNAL SMOKING DURING CHILDHOOD AND INCREASED RISK OF SMOKING IN YOUNG ADULTHOOD

Background Effective prevention of smoking depends on the identificati on of factors that determine smoking onset. We examined the influence of family factors during childhood (household income, parents' educati on and smoking behaviour) on the subsequent risk of smoking in young a dults. Methods. In 1979, 1300 children aged 6-18 years, whose parents were randomly selected for participation in the Copenhagen City Heart Study were invited to a health examination. Information about health a nd smoking behaviour was obtained from 73% of the children. A random s ample of 579 of the children were invited to a follow-up examination 1 3 years later. In all, 486 (84%) participated in the follow-up. Result s. The influence of household income, parents' smoking behaviour and e ducation on the child's risk of becoming a smoker in young adulthood w as estimated. Household income and parents' education did not signific antly affect the risk of adult smoking. Maternal smoking during childh ood increased the risk in comparison with the mother being a non-smoke r (adjusted odds ratio = 1.95; 95% confidence interval : 1.07-3.58). C onclusion. Maternal smoking during childhood increases children's risk of becoming young adult smokers, independent of age and smoking behav iour in childhood, gender and social background. In Denmark 28% of smo king in young adults could be attributed to maternal smoking.