TEENAGE SMOKING, ATTEMPTS TO QUIT AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Objectives. This study examined the relationship between school perfor mance, smoking, and quitting attempts among teenagers. Methods. A logi stic regression model was used to predict the probability of being a c urrent smoker or a former smoker. Data were derived from the 1990 Cali fornia Youth Tobacco Survey. Results. Students' school performance was a key factor in predicting smoking and quitting attempts when other s ociodemographic and family income factors were controlled. Conclusions . Developing academic or remedial classes designed to improve students ' school performance may lead to a reduction in smoking rates among te enagers while simultaneously providing a human capital investment in t heir futures.