A questionnaire survey of cigarette smoking completed in six secondary scho
ols by 4773 pupils aged 11-16 years included five items concerning the circ
umstances of smoking initiation: (1) age at first cigarette; (2) source of
supply; (3) location of first smoke; (4) persons present; and (5) perceived
degree of coercion. Although there was a highly significant gender differe
nce on the item concerning age at first cigarette, with the average for boy
s lower than that for girls, the remaining items showed no gender effects.
In order to explore further the reasons far the observed higher prevalence
of cigarette smoking among teenage girls compared to boys, 33 focus groups
were undertaken with girls in Years 7 and 9. These qualitative data provide
evidence of the social representations of different groups and of smoking
and non-smoking identities. Any understanding of smoking among girls needs
to take account the dynamics of girls' membership in groups of never, exper
imental and regular smokers in determining subsequent smoking behaviour. (C
) 1999 The Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.