The association between smoking and unhealthy behaviors among a national sample of Mexican-American adolescents

This study examined the relationship between smoking and participation in u nhealthy behaviors among Mexican-American adolescents through a secondary a nalysts of national data. Mexican-American adolescents (N=580), ages 10 thr ough 18 years who were interviewed as part of the 1993 Teenage Attitudes an d Practices Survey (TAPS II), were selected for analysis. Data collected in cluded smoking status of the adolescent and participation in certain unheal thy behaviors. Among girls in the study, smokers were more likely to not we ar a seat belt, be involved in physical fighting, not be involved in organi zed sports, perform poorly in school, say they like to do risky things, and ride in a car with a drunk or high driver. For boys, smoking was significa ntly associated with liking to do risky things, fighting, not attending chu rch, and poor academic performance. These results suggest that Mexican; Ame rican adolescents who smoke may be at higher risk for engaging in behaviors that could compromise their health and safety and for not being involved i n activities chat may exert a protective influence.