PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE ACQU ISITION OF SMOKING-BEHAVIOR

Smoking behavior by teenagers has been related to the different social prevailing tendencies spread by the mass media. The World Health Orga nization (WHO) recommends to promote prevention programs in order to a cquire healthy habits by groups of people. Those programs should be pr eceeded by accurate studies concerning the target population. In this direction, a research study was carried out with 314 students, ages 12 -13, from the school district of Cadiz (Spain). The study investigated the psychosocial variables involved in the acquisition of smoking beh avior, motivation, attitudes, personality, family, and school performa nce. Results indicate the main factors involved in the acquisition of the smoking habit by teenagers. Some recommendations related to educat ional issues are presented.